Canon PowerShot SX280 Review (techradar)

PowerShot SX280 Review
Core specs:
  • 12.1MP High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 20x Optical Zoom Lens
  • 35mm Focal Length Equivalent: 25-500mm
  • 3.0″ LCD Monitor
  • Full HD 1080p Video Capture at 60fps
  • Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization
  • Hybrid Auto Mode
  • GPS Tracker

techradar reviewed the GPS and WiFi enabled Canon PowerShot  SX280 [shoplink 12103](price & specs)[/shoplink]. In the conclusion they write:

There’s plenty to like about the Canon SX280, but its standout feature has to be its excellent 20x optical zoom range accompanied by the well-performing digital zoom capability. Image stabilisation also does an excellent job of keeping images blur-free and making it easy to compose images too.

[…]

What we have here is an excellent and well performing compact camera that offers lots of flexibility both to beginner users and those looking for something a little more advanced.

It would also be a good camera for anybody looking to learn a little more about photography, since you could start on the fully automatic settings and work your way through the manual options.

The SX280 has a very good dynamic range:

PowerShot SX280 Review

[via techradar]

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Lens Review (dpreview)

[shoplink 12435]Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8[/shoplink]

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Lens
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

This is definitely an interesting lens that offers value for the money. The image stabilized Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD lens [shoplink 12435](price & specs)[/shoplink], with a price tag of $1,299, got a very good review by dpreview. They write:

Overall, we’re extremely impressed with the Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 VC. It demonstrates that it’s entirely possible to add an effective image stabilization system to a lens of this type without a significant drop in quality elsewhere. The optics are excellent, the autofocus fast, silent and accurate, and the build quality very good indeed.

Overall the Tamron comes so close to the much more expensive non-stabilized Canon and Nikon lenses, both optically and operationally, that it’s difficult to see why most enthusiast photographers might choose to buy them instead.

Be sure to check out the samples gallery.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD price check: 

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon Rebel T5i / EOS 700D Review (techradar)

Canon Rebel T5i

Rebel T5i / EOS 700D

B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Techradar published a comprehensive review of the Canon Rebel T5i / EOS 700D. While this is an interesting “entry-level” DSLR, honestly I did expect more from Canon. Don’t get me wrong: the Rebel T5i / EOS 700D is a well performing camera, but the differences compared to its predecessor are really minimal. BTW, did you know that the Rebel T4i/EOS 650D was removed from the line-up while the Rebel T3i/EOS 600D is still on sale?

Rebel T5i / EOS 700D core specs (taken from B&H’s product page):

  • STM Lens Support for Quiet AF in Movies
  • 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Continuous AF
  • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • 9-point All Cross-Type Autofocus
  • Multi Shot Noise Reduction
  • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

In the conclusion techradar writes:

What we have in the shape of the Canon EOS 700D is basically an incremental upgrade from the Canon EOS 650D. It makes sense that the company has decided to keep the Canon EOS 600D in the lineup but removed the 650D altogether, since the two cameras are very similar.

Existing users of the Canon EOS 650D shouldn’t feel too put out by the fact that the camera has already been replaced, since the key internal factors, most notably the sensor and the processor, remain exactly the same.

One interesting factor here, though, is the new kit lens, which […] is an STM lens. This should mean that the camera and lens combination offers enhanced performance when in Live View and Movie mode when compared to the previous standard kit lens. Of course, you could always buy the new lens separately if you’re already a Canon EOS 650D owner.

Canon Rebel T4i/EOS 650D
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon Rebel T3i/EOS 600D
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Which Camera Is Harder To Destroy? (Canon Rebel T5i vs Nikon D5200)

The guys at SquareTrade wanted to know which camera among the Canon Rebel T5i/EOS 700D (price & specs) and the Nikon D5200 (price & specs) is more solid. So they dropped both cams on the ground (and in rain) to see which one, if one, will survive.

[via PetaPixel]

Canon Rebel T5i/EOS 700D price check:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Video: Canon Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D Hands-on Review (DigitalRev)

DigitalRev‘s Kai got his hands on the Canon Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D (price & specs), the world’s smallest DSLR.

Canon Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon Rebel SL1

Canon Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D features (from Adorama’s product page):

  • 18MP CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor: High resolution, low-noise imaging and fast performance speed, including 4 fps continuous shooting, is provided by the combination of the Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor and 18MP CMOS sensor
  • 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD Monitor: A 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD monitor with 1,040k-dot resolution provides clear composition and playback viewing even in bright light. Its smudge-resistant coating keeps the monitor clear
  • Full HD 1080 Video Capture: Full HD Movie mode supports Movie Servo for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects during recording. When shooting video with one of Canon’s STM lenses, Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens’ stepping motor (STM) for smooth and quiet continuous autofocus
  • Compact Form Factor: The Rebel SL1 is a particularly compact and lightweight DSLR, weighing approximately 13 oz
  • EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens: The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens offers wide-angle to standard length shooting capability specifically designed for APS-C cameras. It is equivalent to a 28.8-88mm focal length in the 35mm format and its minimum focus distance is 9.8″
  • Lens Compatibility: The Canon Rebel SL1 is compatible with all EF and EF-S lenses
  • 9-point Autofocus System: A 9-point AF system (including a high-precision dual-cross center point) provides fast and accurate autofocus performance when shooting with the viewfinder. The Center AF point is AF cross-type at f/5.6, Center AF point is vertical line-sensitive at f/2.8
  • Hybrid CMOS AF II: The Hybrid CMOS AF System is utilized when shooting photos and video in Live View. Combining two different kinds of AF-phase and contrast detection-continuous focus tracking becomes faster and more accurate than ever before in Live View
  • ISO Range: An ISO Range of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) provides low-noise capture in low light situations and saturated colors in bright conditions
  • Continuous Shooting: The Rebel SL1 offers continuous shooting rates of 4 fps for up to 7 consecutive RAW files or 28 full resolution JPEG files
  • Video Snapshot: With the Video Snapshot feature, the SL1 captures short video clips (of 2, 4 or 8 seconds) and combines them automatically into one video file as a snapshot or highlights album
  • Optical Viewfinder: The SL1 features an Optical Viewfinder with 0.87x magnification. Shooting with the optical viewfinder ensures steadier images and is effective when shooting in bright conditions when shooting rapidly
  • Scene Intelligent Auto: Scene Intelligent Auto Mode automatically delivers optimally adjusted photos and offers improved scene detection for better results when shooting at night
  • Special Scene Modes: Special Scene Modes including Kids, Food and Candlelight give you advanced presets to ensure the best possible photos under difficult shooting conditions
  • Creative Filters: Creative Filters add expressive touches to your images and can be seen in real time when shooting in Live View
  • Effect Shot Mode and Background Simulation: The Effect Shot feature automatically captures two shots simultaneously: one without effect and one with a Picture Style or Creative Filter effect. This makes it easy to see how each effect changes the photo without compromising the original image
  • Lens Aberration Correction: The SL1 features lens correction tools that compensate for specific lens characteristics that can affect image quality. Peripheral Illumination Correction adjusts light falloff in the corner of an image based on the type of lens being used
  • JPEG Resizing and In-camera Cropping: For images easier to email, the SL1 can resize JPEG files in-camera, while leaving the original image untouched. And because the SL1 creates large 18MP images, in-camera cropping creates files large enough for direct printing or other purposes
  • Photobook Set-up: Photobook Set-up feature allows you to share you images in book form. Users can easily choose specific images, images in a folder and even all images, then specify their sequence and layout. The results can be printed in book form with ease
  • Optional GPS Compatibility: With the optional GPS Receiver GP-E2 attached to the hot shoe or the digital terminal, the SL1 can record location, including latitude, longitude and altitude and has the ability to track the trajectory of movement with its logging function
  • Supported Languages: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Arabic, Thai, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese