Digital Photography Guide

The Fujifilm Finepix S1500fd replaces the popular S1000 from 2008 in the Fujifilm lineup. This solid camera has a10 megapixel sensor, 12x optical zoom (33mm at its widest) and a 2.7 inch LCD.

It has a maximum aperture range of f/2.8 to f/5.0 across its focal range and an ISO range up to 1600.

The Fujifilm Finepix S1500fd has a wide array of shooting modes but can also be operated in full manual mode or aperture and shutter priority - giving a lot of control to its user. It is powered by four AA batterires.

Expect to see the Fujifilm Finepix S1500fd in stores in March for a retail price of $249.95 USD.

Fujifilm Finepix S1500fd News Release

Compact 12x Optical Zoom FinePix S1500 Extends Feature Set

D-SLR-Style Camera Sports Dual Image Stabilization and Automatic Scene Recognition

Valhalla, NY, February 17, 2009– FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced the successor to the wildly popular FinePix S1000 with the introduction of the FinePix S1500.

Ideal for advanced amateur photographers who are looking for an affordable, SLR-styled digital camera, the 10-MegaPixel FinePix S1500is wrapped with an eye-catching black casing and has a Fujinon 12x optical zoom (33mm-396mm equivalent) offering great range and flexibility. Building on the legacy of Fujifilm’s S-series digital cameras, the FinePix S1500 includes Fujifilm’s Dual Image Stabilization and SR Auto (Automatic Scene Recognition).

Automatic Scene Recognition

SR Auto (Automatic Scene Recognition) enables the FinePix S1500to intelligently recognize six types of scenes automatically. For each picture taken in this mode, the S1500 will optimize the ideal exposure, focus, white balance and ISO for the scene to ensure the best quality picture is captured with ease.

Dual Image Stabilization

Dual Image Stabilization is a marriage of mechanical sensor shift stabilization, to steady the photographer’s hand, and Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization Technology, which uses fast shutter speeds with ISO high sensitivity, to prevent virtually all types of image blur. As a result, an increase in clarity and sharpness is achieved, even in low lighting conditions.

Rounding out the FinePix S1500 powerful feature set is a large 2.7″ high-resolution (230k dots) LCD, electronic viewfinder (EVF) and ISO levels of up to ISO 1600 at full resolution.

Fujifilm’s FinePix S1500 also offers the following useful features:

Full Manual Photographic Control: Photo enthusiasts and advanced photographers have total control with manual adjustment options for various camera settings including resolution, ISO, aperture, shutter speed and more.

Face Detection with Automatic Red Eye Removal: Face Detection operates by identifying and prioritizing faces in a framed scene, and then adjusting the focus and exposure accordingly to ensure the sharpness and clarity of human subjects in the picture, regardless of background. After a shot is captured, each detected face is instantly checked for red eye. If it is found, it is corrected automatically, saving the time-consuming process of fixing it later.

Instant Zoom: Instant Zoom makes it easy to frame and compose shots with moving subjects at high zoom settings. A selectable frame on the LCD screen lets you bracket and track the subject in standard wide view. When the shutter is released, Instant Zoom boosts the zoom ratio and captures only the enlarged area as a full-sized image, keeping the subject in the frame.

Continuous High Speed Shooting mode: This mode allows moving subjects to be captured by shooting high-speed shots of up to 15 frames at 7.5 fps at 2MP and six frames at 3.3 fps at 5MP.

Panoramic Shooting mode: Users can capture, combine and save a maximum of three consecutive shots at 3MP resolution each as a panoramic picture.

Movie Recording: VGA quality at 30 frames per second with sound.

14 Pre-programmed Scene Modes: The FinePix S1500 features 14 pre-programmed scene modes that offer a one-touch setting for almost any situation.

SD / SD-HC Compatible slot: A single media slot that accepts SD/SD-HC media cards.

Operates on 4xAA Batteries: The ultimate in convenience and accessibility, using AA batteries means in a pinch, more batteries are just moments away. Four x AA alkaline battery power delivers 300 shots and up to 700 shots using lithium AA battery.

“Fujifilm’s FinePix S1500fd offers advanced amateur photographers an affordable, SLR-styled digital camera,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “Sporting a Fujinon 12x Optical Zoom for greater range and flexibility and Automatic Scene Recognition, the FinePix S1500 offers its user an efficient, feature-rich digital camera making it easy to capture amazing images.”

The FinePix S1500fd will debut in March 2009 at a retail price of $249.95.

Have you ever wanted to jump in the pool with your camera? I know I have… I saw the new OLympus Tough recently and have not seen the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 in the flesh as yet, but it seems like more and more people are wanting to do just that. With a 12.1mp sensor, Panasonic’s Ai features, a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens and AVCHD (HD) video, the Panasonic looks like a fun all rounder that you can throw in the pool at the end of a long, hot day.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1

The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 is waterproof down to ten feet and shock proof if it falls out of your hand at a height of upto five feet. This compact has a video mode called AVCHD Lite High Definition (HD) video recording (AVCHD Lite HD video, allows you almost double the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The TS1 has Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio.)

I take a compact camera with me every time I go skiing and I have seen two cameras in the last two years fall victim to a small drop or a bit of snow sharing a pocket, it would be nice to just not worry about the camera so much and concentrate on staying upright! Maybe the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 can help me with that!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Press Release

PANASONIC INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST WATERPROOF,
SHOCKPROOF AND DUSTPROOF DIGITAL CAMERA
WITH AVCHD LITE HD VIDEO RECORDING CAPABILITIES
New LUMIX DMC-TS1 Digital Camera Features Tough and Rugged Design for
Capturing Still and Motion Images In Outdoor Activities
MIAMI, FL (January 27, 2009)

Panasonic today introduced the LUMIX DMC-TS1, the world’s
first waterproof, shockproof and dustproof digital camera to also feature AVCHD Lite High
Definition (HD) video recording capabilities. The TS1’s tough and rugged design makes it the
ideal choice for active users needing the ultimate hybrid for capturing both still and motion
images during outdoor activities. The LUMIX TS1, with a 12.1 megapixel resolution, features a
28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, a 4.6x optical zoom and Panasonic’s
proprietary iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, making this an easy-to-use, yet powerful camera that
packs advanced imaging features.
“Many consumers are hesitant to take their digital cameras on outdoor activities like skiing,
hiking, boating or even a day at the beach, for fear it will be damaged. With the introduction of
the LUMIX TS1, we offer a digital camera with a rugged design that consumers can feel
confident using in these tough environments,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager,
Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.

“Even more, with the ability to take both beautiful high-quality still images and High Definition video, with AVCHD Lite, the TS1 offers a powerful one-two punch to capture memories that can later be shared with friends and family.”

The TS1 is waterproof to a depth of 10 feet, shockproof from falls up to 5 feet, and dustproof.
With its rubber padding, reinforced glass and carbon resins inside the camera, the TS1 features
an airtight body protected against water immersion, dust and sand.

Starting at the 28mm wide angle, and zooming up to a useful 128mm in telephoto, the TS1
gives users the flexibility for a variety of shooting environments – especially underwater, where
movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing shots.

The TS1 also features a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with a wide viewing angle,
enhancing visibility during recording and playback by automatic brightness control according to
the environment’s lighting conditions. Plus, the TS1’s LCD panel is deliberately thickened for
protection against pressure, allowing the display to operate with clear visibility even underwater.
The TS1 records AVCHD Lite HD video, allowing almost double the recording time in HD quality
compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The TS1 also features Dolby Digital
Creator to record high quality audio to match the high-quality motion images.

Also new in 2009, the TS1 features iA mode for both still images and in Movie Mode. For iA in
Movie Mode, the TS1 features Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.), which helps prevent
handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in a
frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on the face.

Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as
conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene
Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light
modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality. AWind Cut function is also available
to block out most of the noise from background wind. Optical zoom can be used in motion
image recording. Users can start video recording by simply pressing a dedicated button on the
camera’s back panel.

The TS1’s iA for still image adds Face Recognition – a feature that “remembers” faces from
previous shots. When a registered face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize focus
and exposure to capture it beautifully. With Face Recognition, when a familiar face is recorded
several times, the camera will prompt you to register the face. Once registered, if the face
appears into the frame again, the camera will display the name specified for that person and
prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and sharply focused.
The imaging power of LUMIX has further evolved with the Venus Engine HD, which boasts two
CPUs to provide approx. 2.4x processing capability and support for Face Recognition, AVCHD
Lite and HDMI output. It integrates the numerous advanced functions with high performance,
and low-power consumption. Thanks to the Venus Engine HD, it’s easy to view photos or
movies recorded in AVCHD Lite. Simply insert the SD Memory Card from the camera in the
Panasonic VIERA® HDTV’s Image Viewer SD Memory Card slot to start playback, or connect
the camera via an optional HDMI mini cable to a VIERA Link™-equipped Panasonic VIERA
HDTV and use the TV’s remote control to run slideshows.
This multi-task image-processing engine also enables a fast response time. The TS1 starts up
quickly in 1.3 seconds and shutter release time lag is approximately 0.005 seconds, making it
easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. The Flash Burst mode makes
it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash. The Venus Engine
HD also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the TS1 record up to ISO 6400, sensitive
enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash. Despite its outstanding
performance, the high performance engine is also more energy efficient, extending the battery
life up to 340 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.

Other features of the LUMIX DMC-TS1 include:

New Scene Modes for Still Images: Beach & Surf mode gives users a single mode with
optimized auto white balance for optical shooting on the beach and in shallow water.
New Panorama Assist scene mode allows users to shoot a number of consistent
photos, either vertically or horizontally, by aligning them according to a guide that
overlaps the screen. Then using those photos and the bundled PanoramaMaker
software, users can create dramatic panoramic images.
Increased Scene modes for both still and motion image shooting – optimized for a
variety of situations. There are 26 scene modes for still image and 17 for motion image
(Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self portrait, Scenery, Low light, Food, Party, Candle
light, Sunset, High sensitivity, Beach & Surf, Snow, Aerial, Pin hole, Film grain and
Underwater)
LED Illumination is available in motion image recording.
High-Speed Burst (Speed Priority) that fires off approximately10 shots per second.
Menus are clearer and easier to navigate with the Display Size option.
Macro Zoom function lets users pull subjects even closer to capture dramatic close-up
shots by using the 3x digital zoom in the wide-angle.
Bundled Software: The latest version of PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition allows users to
view, edit and archive captured content with greater ease and fun. Still and motion images
can be transferred to the computer via a USB cable for viewing and archiving. Using

PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 HD Edition, users can edit and remove unwanted portions of video
clips recorded in AVCHD Lite. Contents recorded in AVCHD Lite can be burned directly
onto a DVD disc or converted to MPEG2 format. The software also incorporates the Face
Recognition function, which recognizes registered faces in photos stored on the computer,
making organizing and archiving photos with a specific person much easier. Additionally,
motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS1 will be available in silver, green or orange models in April
2009 for a suggested retail price of $399.95. For more information, please visit

Looking for a fun way to display some of your images? Check out The Doodle Frame.

This ‘frame’ is really an 80 page paper pad surrounding a 4×6 inch image which lets you ‘doodle’ around an image with a new design every day.

The pad can either be hung on a wall or sit vertically or horizontally (I’m going to either use mine as a fun desk accessory or something for our famaily room where our kids can have a bit of fun with it).

The Doodle Frame comes in either with white or multi colored pages and is available from our friends at Photojojo.

The Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm F/1.8G is a new prime lens (meaning it has a fixed focal length of 35mm) from Nikon that has a few nice features. Most exciting is the speed of this lens - f/1.8 - that’s fast enough for many low light situations (it is the widest aperture DX-series lens available). This is a DX lens so is designed to work on all DX/cropped cameras including the D40, D40X, D60, D90, D300 etc

The focal length of 35mm sounds wide but is the equivalent of 52mm on a full frame or film body and is pretty close to producing ‘a picture angle similar to the field of vision as seen through the human eye.’ The lens also comes with Nikons Silent Wave Motor - making focussing quiet and smooth.

The Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm F/1.8G will have a recommended retail price of $199 USD when released in March and is already available for order on Amazon at that rate (pretty affordable for a lens of this speed).

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G Lens News Release

Nikon Introduces The Fastest DX-Format Lens To Date: The AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G

Nikon Inc. today announced the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens, which is the first fixed focal length, fast-aperture DX-format lens that affords photographers superb image quality along with the creative possibilities and versatility of the classic 50mm focal length (FX-format equivalent of 52mm). When mounted on a DX-format camera body, it enables photographers to document their world with a lens that produces a picture angle similar to the field of vision as seen through the human eye. Whether new to D-SLRs or a seasoned enthusiast, users will appreciate the extreme low-light performance and the expanded ability to dramatically separate the subject and background with the new 35mm DX lens’ wide f/1.8 aperture.

“The development and release of the 35mm f/1.8 NIKKOR lens delivers new and added versatility to the Nikon DX-format digital SLR system and provides DX-format photographers with a broader range of fast-aperture lens options,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “This f/1.8 prime lens provides users with exceptional control of background and foreground, superb low-light ability, and the natural focal length that has been the staple of photography since its inception.”

Lightweight, compact and affordable, this lens can easily become a fast favorite for any level of photographer, and is the perfect complement to D60 users who are just starting to learn D-SLR photography or enthusiasts who love their D90. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens is ideal for travel, general photography, landscape shooting, portraiture or pushing creative boundaries. The stunning sharpness, clarity and color reproduction are all proof positive of more than 75 years of NIKKOR heritage and experience in optics engineering.

This lens continues the tradition of NIKKOR precision optics to provide photographers with sharp, high-resolution images and the ability to focus as close as 0.98 feet, while the integration of an ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, whisper-quiet AF operation.

The 35mm DX lens construction consists of eight elements in three groups, with an aspherical element to reduce size and weight, while contributing to the enhanced balance when mounted on a smaller DX-format D-SLR. A rounded diaphragm opening combined with the nine-blade aperture contributes to a substantially more circular bokeh for a more natural appearance of out-of-focus background elements. Additionally, instances of lens flare and chromatic aberration are suppressed using Nikon’s exclusive Super Integrated Coatings, which also help ensure vividly accurate color balance.

The AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens is scheduled to be available at Nikon authorized dealers beginning March 2009 at an estimated selling price of $199.95.* For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR is one of two new cameras from Fujifilm to be announced today and it is one that breaks new ground for the manufacturer.

The F200EXR features a 12 megapixel image sensor, 5x optical zoom and 3.0 inch LCD screen and is the first camera to feature the new Super CCD EXR image sensor which looks very promising:

This new sensor allows users of the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR to choose three different settings for the sensor to optimize the resolution in different ways depending upon the conditions (particularly lighting) when taking a shot:

• Fine Capture Mode (High Resolution), which deploys all twelve million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even;
• Pixel Fusion Mode (High Sensitivity and Low Noise), which caps two adjacent pixels together to produce six million large photodiodes, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions, to produce low-light shots of extraordinary quality with minimal noise and grain; and
• Dual Capture (Wide Dynamic Range), which captures different exposures with two sets of six million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights and low lights that would otherwise be lost.

In EXR Auto mode you can allow the camera to choose the best of these modes for the circumstances or you may choose to override the camera and choose your own.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR has dual image stabilization, High Definition stills output, ISO of up to 12800, full manual controls (as well as Aperture and Shutter Priority) and a number of ‘film simulation’ modes.

As a previous user (and fan) of Fujifilm F series cameras I’m interested to see the reviews that the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR is given - they’ve previously been well regarded as among the best low light point and shoot cameras going around and with this new image sensor this could well break new ground again.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR will hit stores in February 2009 with a recommended retail price of $399.95. It is available for order at Amazon for this price.

Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR News Release

Fujifilm Debuts Super CCD EXR Technology With Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR

Top-of-the-Line Professional Features in a Compact Digital Camera

Following the long line of award-winning F-series models, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc., today announced its latest and greatest, the FinePix F200EXR digital camera, introducing the world to Super CCD EXR technology. Combining the 12-MegaPixel, Super CCD EXR with a powerful Fujinon 5.0x wide angle optical zoom lens and a larger 3.0″ high-resolution LCD, the FinePix F200EXR is Fujifilm’s most advanced compact digital camera yet.

First announced in September 2008 on the tenth anniversary of Fujifilm’s FinePix cameras, Super CCD EXR is a revolutionary new sensor developed in the rigorous pursuit of high image quality.

“There is strong demand in the digital camera market to increase the number of pixels on a sensor, which, all too often, is used as a convenient yardstick for image quality,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “Consumers have realized there’s more to a good picture than just the number of MegaPixels, and with our Super CCD EXR sensor we prove that true image quality is about a combination of many factors like tone, hue, color fidelity, dynamic range, sharpness, and resolution – all brought to life vividly in the FinePix F200EXR.”

As with previous award-winning F-series models such as the FinePix F10, F31fd, F50fd and F100fd, the F200EXR is a powerful, feature-packed compact digital camera aimed at consumers looking for the most sophisticated in feature-rich point and shoots.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR offers 3 selectable modes in one sensor:

Fine Capture Mode (High Resolution), which deploys all twelve million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even;

Pixel Fusion Mode (High Sensitivity and Low Noise), which caps two adjacent pixels together to produce six million large photodiodes, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions, to produce low-light shots of extraordinary quality with minimal noise and grain; and

Dual Capture (Wide Dynamic Range), which captures different exposures with two sets of six million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights and low lights that would otherwise be lost.

In addition to the new Super CCD EXR sensor, the F200EXR offers the most advanced technologies available, including Dynamic Range Bracketing, Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection 3.0, and ISO settings of up to an unprecedented ISO 12800, allowing you to capture any shot, any place and at any time with the lowest noise signature to date.

EXR AUTO

With EXR AUTO, the F200EXR recognizes the subject and scene, and automatically decides the optimum EXR shooting mode. With three options of Fine Capture Technology with High Resolution, Pixel Fusion Technology for High Sensitivity and Low Noise, and Dual Capture Technology for Wide Dynamic Range – that users can also select manually – the camera combines the best of EXR selectable sensor modes with SR Auto Automatic Scene Recognition.

New to the F200EXR are an extra-large 3.0” LCD (the better to see all your great photos), HD Photo to capture still photos at 1920 x 1080, HD output (to view high image quality on your HDTV) and new film simulation modes (based on Fujifilm’s legendary Velvia, Provia and Soft lines), including Sepia and Black and White modes.

Wider Dynamic Range – Up to 800%

Dynamic Range, or the gradations of light that exist between bright and dark in any setting, can be easily detected by the human eye, but not by most cameras. Through a combination of advances in Fujifilm’s new Super CCD EXR and Real Photo Processor, this wide dynamic range dramatically broadens tonal capability and guarantees exceptional rendition of photos with both bright highlights and dark shadows. This expansion of sensitivity captures greater detail, and subtle nuances of brightness and tonality that bring the photo closer to what the human eye actually sees.

In addition to these advances, the FinePix F200EXRhas a number of other impressive features:

• Super Intelligent Flash: The new “Super Intelligent Flash” is the flash control technology that lets you take flash-assisted macro shots without flash washout. Integrated in the AUTO mode, this next-generation flash system makes it easy to capture subjects and background in bright, clear and natural detail over the full flash range including ultra close-ups.
• Face Detection 3.0: Featuring automatic red eye removal, it can detect up to 10 human faces in a scene with super fast speed, automatically correcting focus, exposure, and white balance, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame.
• Dual Image Stabilization: Combines mechanical sensor shift image stabilization with the effects produced with higher ISO.
• Continuous Shooting: Top 3 /Final 3 at 1.4 frames per second at full resolution and Top 12/ Final 5 frames per second at 3-MegaPixels.
• High Speed Playback: No waiting for high resolution images to load during playback. The FinePix F200EXR can display images at full resolution at 10 frames per second.
• Portrait Enhancer Mode: Mimicking a professional photo studio setting, by using Face Detection and preset camera settings, Portrait Enhancer minimizes fine lines and small skin blemishes for smooth, natural looking portraits.
• Dual Shot Mode: In this selectable mode, the FinePix F200EXR quickly shoots two images in rapid succession - one with the flash and one without - and saves both. This convenient function lets users perform a comparison at their convenience and select the most pleasing image.
• Special Scene: The FinePix F200EXR has 17 pre-programmed scenes, including a special underwater scene mode for use with a special underwater casing.
• White Balance (Underwater): Adjusts color temperature for more beautiful blues; you are ready to dive into another world of photography.
• Micro Thumbnail: A playback feature that allows for viewing an index-style print on the LCD. The FinePix F200EXRwill show up to 100 images in micro form, and the control buttons are used to select specific images. An innovative wheel navigation dial makes it easy to quickly find a single image by being able to jump to particular segments of images in the time sequence.
• xD / SD / SD-HC Compatible slot: The FinePix F200 EXRfeatures a “xD/SD Compatible slot” which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity/SD-HC cards too.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR will debut in February 2009 at a retail price of $399.95.