What is Google's Direction?

What is Google's Direction? Now there is Chrome

Canon Digital SLR vs Nikon DSLR

So who makes better DSLR (digital SLR) cameras? Nikon or Canon? That's the question Stephen Shankland of CNET Asia wanted to find the answer to. According to their "smackdown" poll, "Canon's EOS 40D heads off against Nikon's D300." According to the article, Canon's "midrange EOS 40D has won favorable reviews for features such as revamped autofocus, a fast frame rate, weather sealing, and low image noise. Canon's third-generation full-frame flagship, the 1Ds Mark III that just started shipping, has a whopping 21.1 megapixels, leading Canon to position it against even higher-end medium-format rivals. Canon's solid base of professional photographers, built up through years of work, helps ensure a steady supply of high-quality new lenses. By designing and making its own SLR sensors, it's able to control some of its destiny and tightly integrate technology."
To me: once you go canon, you never look back.

Canon 40D Review

ThinkCamera has published Canon 40D review. Their verdict on whether or not to buy Canon 40D: "Bottom line is the Canon 40D is the sort of camera that does its job so well, you need to find something else to blame if your pictures aren't up to scratch. Right now, there is no better camera in its class. Buy one."

Sony a700 digital SLR

Sony has launched Sony Alpha a700 digital SLR aka DSLR-A700, based on Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.
Available for around $1500, Sony a700 features:
- new Exmor 12.23-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- 3-inch LCD monitor
- 11-point cross-type AF system
- maximum sensitivity of 6400 ISO
- maximum shutter speed of 1/8000th of a second.
- Bionz Image Processor
- faster focusing than previous models
- Environmental Sealing to protect dust and moisture (doesn't beat the Canon EOS 40D integrated cleaning system)
- Full 1080 HD output
- Wireless remote control (something Canon was very stupid to miss in EOS 40D)
- Dual Storage Formats: supports CompactFlash™ Type I/II media, Memory Stick Duo™ or Memory Stick PRO Duo™
- Dedicated AF illuminator
- New 'Quick Navi' control system
- RGB histograms
- Sony Alpha (Minolta A) lens mount
- Viewfinder is glass pentaprism offering 95% coverage and 0.9x magnification
- Super Steady-Shot (IS) image stabilization enhanced

Image sizes
- Large - 4272 x 2848 - 12MP
- Medium - 3104 x 2064 - 6.4MP
- Small - 2128 x 1424 - 3MP

What's in the box?
- M-series Lithium-Ion Battery (NP-FM500H)
- Battery Charger w/cord (AC-VQ900AM)
- Wireless Remote Commander (RMT-DSLR1)
- Video Cable
- USB Cable
- Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip
- Body cap
- Accessory shoe cap
- Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
- NOTE: No Memory Stick media is included.


Why I won't buy it:
- too expensive. Canon EOS 40D is much more affordable without any significant loss.
- Sony a700 lacks Live View. You heard it right folks, no form of live view is offered on Sony a700. Folks at DPReview (owned by Amazon) asked Sony about the missing live view functionality feature in Sony a700. Sony said that "the compromises involved in current systems are unsatisfactory, and they won't implement live view until they can 'get it right'"

Sony a700 Reviews: Following are a700 reviews published by some respectable sites:
- Sony Alpha a700 official site
- Sony a700 review on DPReview. Their review is based on "a pre-production DSLR-A700."
- Sony a700 review on TrustedReviews UK
- Sony a700 review by Imaging Resource: "With Sony's new Alpha A700, the digital SLR camera market just got even hotter. Sony and Minolta fans have needed this camera, and Sony has delivered."
- Alpha a700 review by Steve's Digicams: "With 12 megapixels of resolution, impressive shooting performance, superb image quality and the combination of Super Steady Shot image stabilization and anti-dust technology, this camera it a very worthy contender."

Updates:
Sony Alpha a700 camera firmware upgrade (Mac)
Sony a700 application update (Mac)

40d astrophotography

Going through my logs I see a lot of interest for Canon 40D astrophotography. Astrosurf has posted an informative article about faint light application of Canon 40D applied to astrophotography. The article also provides noise and electronic gain comparison of Canon 40D, Canon 20D, Canon 400D and Canon 350D. Read the 40d astrophotography article.

Canon 40D Video Review

A very useful Canon 40D video review for those still pondering whether to spend their money on Canon 40D by Camera Labs. Gordon Laing literally comments on most everything visible on this Canon DSLR as well things that are not visible. Enjoy!

Canon EOS 40D in words of Canon

This is one of the few videos where someone official from Canon (in this case Canon Development Consultant) sits down with Shiny Media and gives a demonstration and walk through of Canon 40D. Enjoy!