Olympus Pen E-P1 gets Swarovski treatment

The retro-styled Micro Four Thirds Olympus Pen E-P1 digi-cam has been ruined, sorry enhanced with a "dazzling makeover" by Crystal Roc. Now covered in hundreds of "sparkling" Swarovski crystals it will be available exclusively to order from Harrods' Micro Anvika department.

In a special limited edition wooden box, which includes "two lenses" (no details provided - presumably the 14-42mm zoom and the 17mm "pancake" lens) and a matching flash, the crystal-encrusted Pen gets a price tag of £1999.99. Those not interested in stuck-on crystals would do well to hang on for the launch of the next-gen, slightly tweaked Olympus Pen E-P2, due in January.

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SOURCE: pocket-lint

Canon Updates Professional Line With EOS-1D Mark IV & EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV – fast, powerful, high resolution performance for professional photographers

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

EOS-1D Mark IV is the perfect choice for professional photographers and subjects on the move. With a completely redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, a new AI Servo II AF focus tracking system with improved algorithm combined with 10 fps continuous shooting, the EOS-1D Mark IV can handle even high-speed situations with ease. An APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a spectacular ISO range of 100 - 12800 (up to 102400 in H3 mode) with an advanced noise reduction system helps ensure sharp, low-noise images even in low-light situations. Add advanced Live View shooting, Full HD movie recording with selectable frame rates and manual exposure control plus a host of new features that enhance every facet of the shooting process. The EOS-1D Mark IV is the choice of professionals looking for the ultimate in SLR performance.
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Canon strengthens pro lineup with 21 Megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon has today tipped digital SLR resolution over the twenty megapixel barrier with the new EOS-1Ds Mark III. The much anticipated Mark III version of the full-frame EOS-1Ds delivers medium-format threatening resolution; 5616 x 3744 (21.1 million) pixels to be precise, in a portable and robust five frames per second Canon EOS body. From a built, function and usability point of view the EOS-1Ds Mark III is identical to the EOS-1D Mark III apart from the full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor, (naturally) larger viewfinder and UDMA support (up to 45 MB/sec) for Compact Flash cards. At full tilt (at five frames per second) the Mark III is processing an mighty impressive 185 MB of data every second.

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III key features

• 21 megapixel Full-frame CMOS sensor (36 x 24 mm)
• 5 frames per second shooting (up to 56 JPEG or 12 RAW images buffer)
• Compact Flash UDMA support (up to 45 MB/sec)
• Large bright 'full size' viewfinder with higher magnification than the EOS-1Ds Mark II
• All of the operational improvements and enhancements delivered by the EOS-1D Mark III

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Now Pro photographers have an even more difficult choice to face when going with Canon EOS 1D Mark IV($4999) or 1Ds Mark III($6,999) or Nikon D3s($5,200)

SOURCE: canoneos&dpreview

Sanyo Xacti HD2000, FH1 Camcorders First To Shoot iFrame Video.

Sanyo yesterday announced their new Xacti VPC-HD2000 and VPC-FH1 Dual Cameras, which are the world’s first camcorders to record in the next-gen iFrame video format - to speed up the importing, editing and sharing of recordings on your computer.

The iFrame (960 x 540) video capture mode featured on both models simplifies the process of working with recorded video on your computer, as it records in the same format used for editing. This, combined with smaller file sizes, translates into faster workflow and thanks to the use of standards-based technologies, is compatible with both PC and Mac.

Also offering 1080p Full HD recording at 60fps and shooting 8-megapixel stills, both the HD2000 and FH1 feature a Super Slow Motion capability too, which can achieve up to an impressive 600 fps to freeze fast action with stunning effects.

Also including 10x optical zoom for photos and 16x advanced zoom / 160x digital zoom for video, the HD2000 and FH1 sport Face Chaser technology to detect up to 12 faces in either stills or movies and a Sequential Photo Mode for rapid-fire photos at up to 12fps.

Despite the obvious design distinctions, the two models differ little in specs. The HD2000 has a 2.7-inch LCD, gets an HDMI interface via a cradle and sports an external microphone input - while the FH1 gets a larger 3-inch display and native HDMI. The displays on both models rotate 285 degrees.

Both the Sanyo Xacti HD2000 and Sanyo Xacti FH1 are available now from

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SOURCE: markstechnologynews.com

New Nikon D3s

Its been made official that new Nikon DSLR flagship, the D3s has been confirmed to arrive this November.
So what’s new in the latest D3s???
The most stunning new piece of hardware in this badboy is a redesigned sensor which allows it to shoot up to ISO 102,400 - the D3s will certainly not suffer from any night blindness.

Other main specs include a 12.1MP full-frame sensor, though it won’t be shooting 1080p videos but rather just 720p. But videos will be able to take advantage of the D3S’s hunger for light, so the dynamic range is wide as hell with High Sensitivity Movie mode, and the D3S’s video mode is overall more capable than Nikon’s previous video-shooting DSLRs with full aperture control, faster AF in live view and a stereo input.

To be available in November with a luxurious pricetag of $5200 ($200 premium over the D3), UK pricing will be considerably more at £4200, Nikon has really taken a big leap forward into a so far unexplored territory. So new Nikon D3s will support the following upgraded specs:

* Nikon D3s with ISO 200-12800 (D3 was with ISO 200-6400)
* New ISO range HI-3 at 102,400 ISO
* 12.1 mp FX sensor (same as the D3, but tweaked)
* 14fps
* D-movie with 24 fps/1080p

SOURCE: Gadgetlite