Release: Pentax K-7, an amazing camera.

Constantin Chirila — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:47:56 +0000

Not being used to Pentax releasing innovative cameras, when I first saw the news, I didn’t paid to much attention. But today, from pure curiosity, I watched the presentation of Pentax K-7 DSLR camera, and I am simply stunned of all the cool feature it has, at a very affordable price, 1300$.

That being said i would like to point out some very cool features:

first and foremost it’s the improved high dynamic range that allows the camera to capture more details in darker area of a photograph
another feature first seen in a DSLR camera, it’s the ability to produce a HDR image in camera from 3 different exposures.
77 metering sensors improves the ability of the camera to automatically set the correct exposure of the photograph
ability to embed copyright information into the EXIF of all the photograph, feature seen only in pro DSLRs like Canon 1Ds Mark III or Nikon D3
improved weather sealing on the body of magnesium/steel alloy with steel sub-structure
ability to correct chromatic aberrations and lens distortions in camera.
live view with contrast and face detection focusing
improved vibration reduction with Sensor-shift system
ability to scan the image sensor and exactly points out where you have dust on your sensor, and ability that can help a lot when manually cleaning your sensor
video capture as the rest of the cameras from this generation
dedicated RAW button that allows easy switching between RAW and JPG file formats without wasting time changing it in the menu settings
allows you to custom change the name of the images
another useful feature is the dedicated white balance sensor
and last, but not least cool feature is, THE SIZE, having a very small size compared to Nikon or Canon.

Bottom line is that, they pulled out a cool camera, that I would love to have it in my equipment arsenal. These were only the features that appealed to me, but if you wish to read more about it’s specifications you can go to http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K-7/.

Also you can watch the introduction video:

PMA: Ricoh CX1, First Camera with Built-in High Dynamic Range Mode

Constantin Chirila — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:21:29 +0000

At this years PMA show there was announced the Ricoh CX1 camera. Lately Ricoh have done some innovative things. I am usually not impressed by a point&shoot camera (being a DSLR user), but this one drown my attention having a few rarely seen in a camera and innovative features. Beside the four photos braketing (and my DSLR have 3 braketing) and the 9MP resolution, it has a CMOS sesnsor which can only be met at DSLR cameras, which might mean lower noise than other Point&Shoots.

But the cherry on top of the cake is the fact that it can record a photograph that contains a high range of brightness, which a normal camera cand record. This is doing by take 2 consecutive shots at different exposure and automaticaly combines them in a photograph with a High Dynamic Range to up to 12 EV closer to the dynamic range of the human eye. Now this being developed I think it’s only a matter of time until othe camera manufacturers follow the trail. And I hope we will see this feature especially in future DSLRs which greatly need this function.

Photo Skills by Constantin Chirila » HDR

Release: Pentax K-7, an amazing camera.

PMA: Ricoh CX1, First Camera with Built-in High Dynamic Range Mode