Powershot G1 X DxO-Mark Scores and Lens Test

DxO Labs just published the measures for Canon’s Powershot G1 X, and the little cam scores good, very good. DxO Labs’ interpretation of the scores:

  • You have a reflex-quality sensor in camera of the same volume as a G11.
  • You can use this camera even under relatively difficult conditions.
  • If you’re an amateur photographer, this camera can satisfy pretty much all of your needs (especially if you want to take great family photos, for example). If you’re a professional photographer, this can be a good backup camera.

Compared to other, similar cameras, the G1 X outperforms almost all of them (overall score is higher in any case) or has a score that can hold up with Canon entry level DSLR’s. Read more after the break.

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Canon Patent for Improved Auto-Focusing Method

Canon secured a patent (EP20120151498) for an auto-focusing algorithm (and unit) to speed up auto-focusing operations of a digital DSLR while tracking moving objects (at least this is what I understood by reading the patent). Is this the next generation of Canon’s AF systems?

A focus control method is provided that performs focus control by sensing a plurality of images of an object while moving a position of a focusing lens and determining in-focus positions in auto focusing areas located at a plurality of positions. The focus control method calculates an in-focus position of the focusing lens based on the focusing lens position at the time of reading an image signal of each of the auto focusing areas and a degree of focused state of each of the auto focusing area that is based on the image signal of each of the auto focusing areas.

The patent aims at resolving issues caused by the rolling shutter method used to control an electronic shutter. This works as follows:

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New EOS 650/Rebel T4i Rumor

Reported by northlight-images, the EOS 650D could be announced by mid May. No news about the specs (improved 18MP & Digic 5, more details here). The “EOS 650 for Dummies” book (in French) is still in offer at various Amazon shops (Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon Germany and Amazon Canada, the last one saying it will be available starting from May, 7).

Good time to check for Rebel T3i/EOS 600D deals in the box below.

Automatic EOS 600D/Rebel T3i price check: [shopcountry 333] [shariff]

Another exploded Nikon D800

Canon may have problems with the light-leaking issue of the EOS 5D Mark III, but Nikon has also some problems to deal with. Nikon’s new full-frame flagship, the D800, is reported to “explode”. This is the second forum post I found about this issue (another one here). So, if you want a new FF camera you can choose between one that’s leaking light through the top LCD panel, or to get one that will explode in your hands. :-) Hard times for photographers!

UPDATE [thanks to Bobby]: nikon rumors reports that Nikon is recalling batteries that are used on various cams, the D800 included:

Today Nikon recalled some of the EN-EL15 rechargeable Li-ion batteries […] that are used with the Nikon D7000, D800, D800E and Nikon 1 V1 cameras. The described reason for the recall is overheating. There were no overheating cases reported from users, the problem has been discovered during the manufacturing process.

Street Photography on Steroids – Over 870,000 pics of New York’s last 150 years

AP Photo/New York City Municipal Archives, WPA Federal Writers' Project, Jack Rosenzwieg

This was a project going on for the last four years. The New York City Department of Records digitalized over 870,000 documents, most of them are pictures. Now the archive has been put online and is accessible to everyone. 150 years of NYC’s history at your mouse click! You’ll find everything that belongs to NYC’s past and chronicles: Mafia bosses, working scenes, street life, and much much more. Most of the pictures have not been shot by famous photographers but by public workers, employees etc. In one word: normal people like you and me. There are also lots of pictures shot by police officers while investigating a crime scene (hence, a lot of death people – be warned). This is an exceptional historical and photographic documentation. And it is free! You can access the archives clicking here, but be warned that due to the high traffic volume there may be problems or slow-downs. Update: for the time being the service is unavailable. :-(

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EOS 5D Mark III DxO-Marks – How are they done?

I will not enter the discussion about the recently published DxO-Marks of the EOS 5D Mark III. It’s a technical measure made from a purely engineering point of view, and while being a valid benchmark it doesn’t tell the whole story. Period. It’s not that I am no happy that Canon obtained the best DxO Mark of its history, I am more surprised about the difference with other cameras (ok: with the Nikon D800 :-)). However, for all of us who are interested to know how DxO Labs performs their measure, which lab-setting they are using etc, there is a “behind the scenes” article by cnet that’s worth to be read. It’s long and detailed, and gives valuable insights. I liked the following excerpt:

Most people aren’t surprised to hear that high-end digital cameras offer higher resolution, lower noise, and better low-light performance than film. But there’s a common belief that film still surpasses digital when it comes to another important attribute, dynamic range, which measures the spread from where a scene is too bright for a camera to capture detail to where it’s so dark that details are lost in the image noise.

Indeed, most people are surprised when they are told that digital cameras have higher resolution, lower noise and better low-light performance!

EOS 5D Mark III price-check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA [via imaging-resource]