What's New - October 2008
October 23
Test Shots posted for 
Panasonic G1!
With targets still smoking after completing the Canon G10's full test suite, the Imaging-Resource.com Lab dove into the just-arrived, production-level Panasonic G1 digital camera and completed nearly the full suite of photos in a day. Only weather kept us from getting the usual FAR shots, since those require a sunny day. The Panasonic G1's image quality looks pretty good, not just at low ISO either. We were pretty impressed with how relatively clean the ISO 1,600 shots are, especially for a 12-megapixel sensor that's smaller than an APS-C SLR design. See our nearly full test suite from the Panasonic Lumix G1 by clicking here. Stay tuned for our image analysis on the Panasonic G1 soon.
Test Shots posted for 
Canon G10!
We've posted 189 test shots to the Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera preview, including a selection of RAW images for those who will use the Canon G10 for fine photography. The Canon G10's 28-140mm f/2.8 lens seems well paired with the 14.7-megapixel 1/1.7" CCD sensor. According to the Lab guys, there are quite a few improvements to the Canon G10 worthy of note. The viewfinder, for starters is bigger and more useful. The screen's resolution is improved as well, and the buttons are easier to operate, since most of them have been raised for easier access. The Canon G10's new EV dial is also popular, making our EV-intensive shots easier to execute, thanks to the clear visual cue. Even the grip is better, according to both Rob and Luke. In short, "There are no steps backward." Noise is still an issue even at ISO 80, but it seems to be mostly luminance noise, and its fine-grained enough that only pixel-peepers will notice; RAW shooters will be able to process that out for the most part. Stay tuned for our full Canon G10 image analysis coming soon. For now, though, go to the preview and click on the Samples Tab to scroll through our huge suite of Canon G10 test shots!
October 20
Review posted for 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3!
Almost in a category by itself, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 digital camera really impressed us. With a 10-megapixel imager, a high quality Leica lens, and a high-resolution 3-inch wide-screen LCD, the Panasonic LX3 was built to deliver high image quality in a small package. Gone are the noise problems of the LX2, and detail is lush. A full range of capture modes graces the LX3 -- auto and manual -- plus a hot shoe, manual AF and aspect ratio controls, and the little digital camera even shoots RAW. The Panasonic LX3's color was natural, and impressive printed results tell the rest of the story. The Panasonic LX3's price is competitive, too, more than an inexpensive digicam, but less than a digital SLR. Click here to see why the Panasonic LX3 has put my piggy bank on the endangered species list.
Nikon D90 Review completed!
Dave's updated our Nikon D90 review with some video examples, overall conclusions, and comparisons with some of its competition. The new Nikon D90 is clearly one of the landmark digital cameras of 2008, and we've finally put the finishing touches on our review of it. See the first page of our Nikon D90 review for an overview of this amazing camera, our overall conclusions about it, and brief comparisons with some of the cameras it competes with. See the newly-added Nikon D90 Video page for a discussion of its video capabilities and how we found it to shoot with. We also report in our image analysis that the D90 incorporates the chromatic aberration correction capability first introduced in the D3 and D300 high-end models. This feature works regardless of the brand lens you're using, so the D90 promises to improve the quality of most any lens you use it with. Its list of features and capabilities runs far longer than we can go into here, though. If you're in the market for a high-end prosumer digital SLR camera, the Nikon D90 deserves to be near the top of your list for consideration. Read our Nikon D90 review for all the details!
October 16
Review posted for 
Casio EX-S10!
Thin is in for digital cameras, and the Casio EX-S10 easily delivers on that score. It's certainly one of the sleeker models we've looked at lately, and it comes in colors for those who want their digital camera to color-coordinate with their wardrobe. (Buy several, for different outfits?) The Casio S10 also has one "unexpected extra" feature that Dave would have given his right arm for in college. Read our Casio S10 review for all the details!
October 14
Express Review posted for 
Sony DSC-T300!
Thin, compact and feature-laden, the 10.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot T300 handles a range of situations quite well, with fun, unique bonus features like smile detection, creative post-capture filters, and an Easy shooting mode for beginners. Its 5x zoom lens gives the Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-T300 good framing flexibility, and its wide 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD is fun to use. A good selection of scene modes, Face Detection, Steady Shot and adjustable ISO up to 3,200 make the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 capable under a range of situations. Click here to read our Express Review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 for more.
October 10
Review posted for 
Samsung L210!
Samsung has turned out another beauty in the L210, a digital camera about as small as a stack of business cards. Designed for the whole family, the Samsung L210 has shooting modes for everyone including a Help Guide that lets you practice and a full Manual mode. One of our favorite features is the Samsung L210's charging method, which requires only the USB cable and a connection to a computer or the included power adapter. Though it "only" has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, that helps keep the Samsung L210 small, and its various scene modes and optical image stabilization combine makes for a good, consumer-friendly package. Click here to read our Samsung L210 review for more!
October 8
Full Test Results posted for Nikon D90!
We've completed our analysis of the Nikon D90's test data, and have posted the results to the appropriate tabs of the Nikon D90 review. We'll be modifying the first page of the Preview, to update it with our findings, and bring it to Full Review status in the next few days. Bottom line, the D90 is looking like a *real* winner for Nikon, not the least because of its (unreported) chromatic aberration correction feature. Read our Nikon D90 review for all the details!
Update 10/10/08: Posted competitive comparisons and conclusions, brought to full review status.
October 7
Review posted for 
Nikon Coolpix S600!
Trim, compact and stylish, the 10-megapixel Nikon
Coolpix S600 is affordable and easy to use, boasting a 4x wide-angle zoom lens and an excellent selection of preset shooting modes. The Nikon S600's point-and-shoot design makes any user level comfortable, and its portable design means it's ready for travel. In addition to standard Program AE mode, the Nikon
Coolpix S600 also offers 14 preset Scene modes, Face-Priority AF, D-Lighting and creative shooting tools such as color and metering modes, even post-capture editing modes. Read our Nikon Coolpix S600 review for more!
October 3
First Shots posted for 
Canon EOS 50D DSLR!
We've finally received our Canon 50D production unit, and have posted our first test shots from the lab right away. Come see for yourself if the EOS 50D's image quality lives up to expectations. Click here for our Canon EOS 50D Hands-on Preview page, and then click on the Samples tab for all the images we've shot so far, including links to select RAW files. Stay tuned for more Canon 50D test images in the coming days!
October 2
Preliminary performance figures posted for Panasonic DMC-G1!
We've gotten our hands on a Panasonic G1 prototype that's final hardware/late firmware, and run our normal timing tests on it. With the 14-45mm kit lens attached, we found that the Lumix G1 met Panasonic's claims for shutter lag at the wide angle end of the range, but was slightly slower at the tele end. Regardless, it's quite a bit faster than the vast majority of digicams, in both shutter lag and continuous shooting speed. - And of course, the Panasonic G1's larger Four Thirds-format sensor will produce better high-ISO images than digicams are capable of. (We can't show you sample images from this level of firmware, but can say that we've generally been impressed with what we've seen. It isn't an imager that will compete with a Nikon D300 or Canon 50D, but is a big step up from what consumers have struggled with from digicams. - And that's exactly who the Panasonic G1 is aimed at.) Check out our Panasonic G1 Hands-On Preview, particularly the Panasonic G1 Performance tab for full details!
Review posted for 
Olympus SP-570 UZ!
The SP-570 is the best-looking long zoom digital camera Olympus has produced, finally available in a black body that's compact, yet easily handled. The Olympus SP-570 UZ's 2.7-inch LCD screen is complemented by a decent electronic viewfinder, and the pop-up flash actually does quite well despite the long zoom. The Olympus SP-570 UZ even includes a hot shoe, and support for the company's wireless flash system. And did I mention the Olympus SP-570 UZ's 20x zoom that jumps in front of the 18x zooms that previously led the pack? It even harks back to extremely popular Olympus C-series digital cameras with a beautiful, solid build. So what could possibly be wrong with the Olympus SP-570 Ultra Zoom? Click here to find out.
