What's New - March 2011
March 30
Test shots posted from a production-level 
Canon T3i!
We've just posted a full set of lab test shots from a production-level Canon T3i digital SLR! The Canon Rebel T3i takes the feature-set of the previous T2i model, and puts it in a new body with a number of important changes. Key among these is the switch to a new Vari-angle screen, which necessitates a rearrangement of the Rebel T3i's rear panel. Under the skin, the new Canon EOS T3i has the same 18 megapixel resolution as its predecessor, and retains the same pentamirror viewfinder with 0.87x magnification and 95% coverage, and a 1.04 million dot 3.0-inch LCD display, plus a nine-point AF system with enhanced f/2.8 cross-type point at the center of the array. The Canon T3i adds a number of reduced-resolution shooting modes, a new Auto Picture Style function, and a 20% increase in body-only weight. Body size also increases by a few millimeters in each direction. See our Canon Rebel T3i Hands-on Preview for all the details, including test images from a production model.
Lens Review: 
Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD!
In August of 2010 Tamron released an updated version of its 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, the SP AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 VC USD, with a few notable improvements. The first and most obvious is the addition of Vibration Control (VC) technology, to reduce the effect of camera shake and provide sharper images. The lens appears to be completely redesigned, with 4 additional lens elements and a brand new autofocus system. We've put the lens through its paces in our test lab: see how it fared by clicking here to read our full review of the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens.
March 28
Express Review posted for 
Casio EX-H20G!
Among the more popular digital camera designs, pocket long zooms with GPS are commanding a lot of attention. Casio's Exilim EX-H20G takes its 10x zoom a step or two further than most, integrating a three-way accelerometer and maps for 152 cities. Its 24-240mm zoom is helped by sensor-shift image stabilization, and multiple forms of digital zoom are also available. As if a 10x zoom and a GPS with maps weren't enough to make the Casio EX-H20G a great travel camera, it also includes a pretty high-capacity battery, capable of up to 600 shots using CIPA standards. As is often the case with Casio cameras, the Exilim EXH20G is packed with extra features, more than we can describe here. Click here for our Express Review of the Casio Exilim EX-H20G, one of the more interesting pocket long zooms on the market.
March 24
Express Review posted for 
Nikon S8100!
With a soft, warm texture and a slick appearance, the Nikon Coolpix S8100 invites you to pick it up and start shooting. And when you do, the Nikon S8100's 10x, 30-300mm optical vibration reduction lens is fast and ready to frame your image however you like. Its autofocus and shutter responds like an SLR, surprisingly, and gets the shot quickly, making the Nikon S8100 great for kids and other action. Its 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor enables Backlight HDR capture mode and Full HD video as well. Overall, the Nikon S8100 is an excellent contender in the pocket long zoom category. Click here for our Express Review of the Nikon S8100!
March 21
Lens Review: 
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM!
In August of 2010, Canon released the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, the third generation in that category of telephoto zoom lens. This isn't just a cosmetic upgrade, however; the lens is now an L-series lens, complete with weather and dust-sealing, fluorine anti-smear coating, and the trademark white finish. Click here to read our full review of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens.
March 18
Full Review posted for 
Samsung NX100!
We were eager to get the Samsung NX100 into the lab to see what this new compact system camera could do. With a curved slab shape, the Samsung NX100 is smaller than past models, and its retractable kit lens helps keep it small. Its 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor is APS-C sized, and its 3-inch display is a VGA resolution AMOLED, both features brought over from the NX10. Unlike its larger predecessor, the Samsung NX100 has no flash and no electronic viewfinder, but it does have a hot shoe for attaching an electronic viewfinder or an external flash. We found its interface endearing and innovative, and enjoyed our time with the Samsung NX100, but had a little trouble with noise suppression in the JPEG files. Our investigation led us to the RAW files to decide whether the Samsung NX100 was only for consumers, or whether it would also work for enthusiasts. Click here to see what we found in our Samsung NX100 review.
March 11
Express Review posted for 
Canon SD4500!
Canon always makes two long zoom ELPHs, one with a wide zoom, and one biased toward the long end of the zoom spectrum: The Canon SD4500 IS falls into the latter category, and goes quite a bit longer than normal, with a 10x, 36-360mm f/3.4 lens that collapses flush to the camera's smooth front panel. If cropping your pictures is your thing anyway, the Canon SD4500 might be the digital camera for you. Its 16:9 aspect LCD is tuned for capture of Full HD video, while the 10-megapixel CMOS sensor captures a pretty good 4:3 still image. The Canon SD4500 represents something of a compromise, employing a CMOS sensor to get Full HD, while backing off on resolution to keep the noise down for still images. It's quite a balancing act. Click here to see whether the Canon PowerShot SD4500 digital camera's image quality holds up.
March 10
Review posted for 
Olympus E-PL2!
Equipped with an improved lens and a more ergonomic body style, the Olympus Pen E-PL2 addresses several shortcomings of the previous model and refines the company's low-cost compact system camera design. The Olympus E-PL2's new lens design is smaller, lighter, and a little longer, with a more stable lens design and fast, silent autofocus. It even accepts accessory lenses. The E-PL2's 3-inch LCD is also higher resolution than any of the Pen predecessors, and the new Accessory Port 2 is compatible with more new gadgetry, including a bluetooth module that sends your pictures directly to a camera phone. Its 12-megapixel sensor still captures great images, and the Olympus E-PL2 tests faster than its predecessors. Click here for more on the Olympus Pen E-PL2 compact system camera!
March 7
Review posted for 
Panasonic GF2!
The Panasonic GF2 is the company's answer to the rapid progression towards ever smaller mirrorless, interchangeable lens cameras, and there's no questioning that the Lumix GF2 lives up to the term 'compact system camera'. Despite its coat pocket-friendly design, the GF2 doesn't skimp on features, some of which are unique in this form factor. Most notably, the Lumix GF2 offers a modern touch screen interface that can make it much more intuitive to operate, letting the photographer simply tap on the display to change settings, indicate a focus point, or even trip the shutter. Panasonic also retains a built-in flash strobe in the GF2's design, something that's relatively rare among its compact still camera competitors. Throw in Full HD video capture and one of the more responsive autofocus systems we've seen in a compact system camera, and the Panasonic GF2 proves interesting not only to still photographers, but also to videographers. Add in the fact it's just plain fun to shoot with, and we couldn't help but make it a Dave's Pick. There's a lot more to discuss about the Panasonic Lumix GF2, so click here for our review of this unique Micro Four Thirds digital camera.
Lens Review: 
Olympus 40-150mm f/4-5.6 M.Zuiko!
Olympus released its 40-150mm f/4-5.6 M.Zuiko lens near the end of 2010, as a complement to its 14-42mm for the PEN digital series. As are most of the newer Micro Four Thirds lenses, the telephoto zoom lens is tiny - weighing just under 7 ounces. We've put the lens through its paces in our lab; click here to read our full review of the Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6.
March 3
Accessory Review: 
Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic
A 35mm optic with 12-blade apertures from f2.5 to f22, the Sweet 35 is the widest selective focus option in the Optic Swap System. We had a sleepover with the Sweet 35 and it was a blast. It's our favorite prime lens focal length for subframe sensors and focuses as close as 7.5 inches. But the best part was rather than settle on an aperture disc for an Optic Swap module, we simply clicked through the options without removing the lens while we composed our images. We mounted it on both Canon and Nikon cameras and shot both indoors and out, learning a few tricks along the way. Read our Lensbaby Sweet 35 review for the details.
Sony A560 Initial Test updated to Full Review!
Meeting the needs of enthusiast photographers was a clear aim of the Sony Alpha A560, adding back a few features that the low to mid-range digital SLR cameras in the line had lost in a bid to appeal to consumers. The popularity of the NEX and SLT series digital cameras delayed the arrival of the Sony A560, but it's shipping now, and we found it to be a very capable camera for both stills and videos. Many of Sony's recent digital innovations on the pocket camera side have made it into the Sony A560, including multi-shot modes that micro-align several images to create either superior low-light captures or really easy HDR images. The Sony A560 has dual Live View modes, a Movie mode, Sweep Panorama mode, and a stack of Scene modes to boot. Its articulating 3-inch LCD allows for high or low-angle shots and its dual card slots allow use of SD or Memory Stick Duo cards in the Alpha A560. Bursting as it is with features, there's a lot more to cover on the Sony A560, so click here for our review!
March 1
Nikon D7000 Initial Test updated to Full Review!
The Nikon D7000 digital SLR is a refinement of the already superb D90, a redesign that maintains a small, nimble body while improving nearly every major internal aspect. Its 16.2-megapixel sensor and Expeed 2 processor conspire to output quality images at all ISO settings, from 100 to 25,600, cranking those images out at up to six frames per second. The Nikon D7000's 3-inch LCD sports 921,000 dots, a great place to compose images in Live View mode, as well as check focus. The Nikon D7000's high-res LCD is also excellent for shooting and playing the 1,080p videos that this digital camera captures, and menus are razor sharp. Dual memory card slots, 39 autofocus points, a new color-sensitive meter, a near-100% viewfinder, and in-camera editing round out just a few of the extra features found in the Nikon D7000. Nikon's top enthusiast digital SLR camera is as easy to recommend as a cold glass of lemonade on a hot Summer day, and at least as satisfying. Click here to check out our Nikon D7000 Review!
