Canon Announces EOS 650D / Rebel T4i 18MP touch-screen DSLR

JUN

08

Canon reveals the EOS 650D also known as the Rebel T4i in North America. The Canon EOS 650D is an 18 megapixel touch-screen DSLR that employs a sensor-based hybrid AF system for improved focus in movie and live view modes.

The latest Canon DSLR will have the all-cross-type 9-point AF sensor from the EOS 60D and can now shoot at 5fps. For video coverage it adds stereo mics for its Full HD video recording, which is available at 30, 25 and 24fps.

The Canon EOS 650D will have a $849 price tag – that’s body. For the kit lens and the body the price point will be $949 with the 18-55mm IS lens or $1199 with the co-announced 18-135mm STM IS lens.

Canon UK has confirmed that the EOS 650D will cost £699.99 body only and go on sale on 15 June. The company has also confirmed new lenses including a 40mm f/2.8 STM (stepping motor) pancake. Also out on 15 June, it is expected to cost£229.99.

Here’s the full press release from Canon:

“

London, UK, 8 June 2012 – Canon today launches the EOS 650D – a new, easy-to-use Digital SLR (DSLR) that offers high image quality and simple touch-screen operation, allowing anyone to capture beautiful images and Full HD movies. Ideal for photography beginners, the EOS 650D combines intelligent automatic shooting modes with a range of advanced features – making it easy-to-use today, with a full range of manual modes to explore tomorrow.

The EOS 650D is the first-ever EOS to feature a dual AF system, which ensures exceptional detail in stills and continuous autofocus tracking when shooting movies. At the camera’s heart is an 18 megapixel (MP) Hybrid CMOS sensor and powerful DIGIC 5 processing, enabling the capture of sharp, full resolution images at up to 5 frames per second (fps). A Vari-angle capacitive touch-screen also makes camera operation quick and easy, providing instant access to an extensive range of settings and scene modes.
Outstanding quality in all conditions

The EOS 650D offers outstanding image quality and performance. Its newly-developed 18MP APS-C Hybrid CMOS sensor provides super-fine resolution, capturing poster-sized images that are rich in colour and detail. Ideal for shooting in low light without flash, the camera features a native 100-12,800 ISO range, allowing the capture of naturallooking shots with minimal noise, while an expanded ISO 25,600 range also offers the ability to shoot in more extreme low-light conditions.

The EOS 650D is the first entry-level EOS to be powered by Canon DIGIC 5 processing, offering greater speed, responsiveness and advanced colour rendition. DIGIC 5′s 14-bit image processing provides beautiful and subtle transitions between colour tones, such as those of an evening sky, and its vastly-increased power also makes the camera ideal for capturing fast-moving action such as football or other sports.

The new dual AF system makes it easy to capture sharply-focused shots of all subjects, whether capturing stills or movies. A superior 9-point all cross-type AF system provides exceptional performance during stills shooting, offering precision accuracy when capturing sports, action and wildlife. Additionally, a new Hybrid AF System offers continuous autofocusing during movie recording, and when shooting in Live View1 mode.
Touch control and Vari-angle flexibility

Getting the perfect shot has never been easier thanks to the new 7.7cm (3.0″) Vari-angle Clear View LCD II Touch screen. Featuring capacitive technology, the screen is highly responsive and supports a variety of multi-touch gestures, such as pinching and swiping – making it easy to access shooting modes, alter settings and even capture a shot using the screen alone.

Touch control adds a different dimension to Live View shooting. You can select AF points, track faces and objects, and fine-tune image settings via the camera’s Quick Control screen. Navigation is instant and intuitive, while pinch-zooming in playback provides a great way to check the finer details of a shot. The Vari-angle hinge allows the screen to be angled and tilted to suit virtually any situation, while a super-sharp 1,040k-dot resolution ensures every detail is clearly displayed.
EOS Movie: Enhanced with Continuous AF

The EOS 650D makes it easy for anyone to shoot Full HD (1920x1080p) videos. Thanks to Hybrid AF, users can focus exclusively on story-telling while the camera continuously tracks the subject. New EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lenses are also ideal for shooting videos, utilising a virtually-silent stepper motor to ensure movies are smoother and clearer than ever.

With Video Snapshot mode, anyone can create fun, fast-paced videos with a professionally-edited feel. Snapshots can be recorded in two, four, or eight second segments, and then combined or reordered in-camera ahead of playback. An integrated mini-HDMI port also makes it easy to share the results on any HDTV.
Explore with EOS

Two brand new shooting modes located on the mode dial help beginners to shoot confidently in difficult lighting conditions. HDR Backlight Control tackles tricky, brightly-backlit scenes by capturing three different exposures – under, correctly, and over-exposed – and combining them into one HDR image displaying both highlight and shadow detail. Handheld Night Scene, meanwhile, makes it easier to capture beautiful low-light evening shots with no tripod, rapidly shooting four different images before combining them into one detailed, blur-free picture.

The camera’s range of shooting modes also allows you to explore the boundaries of your creativity. Basic+ allows you to go beyond basic automatic settings, with a range of presets you can use to dramatically and instantly alter the mood of a shot. Canon’s fun range of Creative Filters can now be applied to images using the Touch-screen, with new ‘Art Bold Effect’ and ‘Water Painting Effect’ offering more ways to apply a creative twist to a shot. If you simply want to point and shoot, Scene Intelligent Auto mode does the work for you – analysing the scene and automatically selecting the best settings, so you can take great shots out of the box.
The EOS system – freedom to explore

As part of Canon’s EOS system, the EOS 650D is compatible with the world’s most comprehensive selection of lenses and accessories. Over 60 EF lenses cover everything from wide-angle and macro to extreme telephoto, and countless accessories provide the tools to meet virtually any creative challenge.

”

EOS 650D – key features

• 18 MP APS-C Hybrid CMOS sensor
• Full-HD movies with manual controls and continuous AF
• 5 fps continuous shooting
• Vari-angle Clear View LCD II Touch screen
• ISO 100-12,800 sensitivity, extendable to ISO 25,600
• 9-point wide-area AF
• Integrated Speedlite Transmitter

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Canon PowerShot A2400 IS Digital Camera Review

If you’re a beginner looking for a practical and easy to use point and shoot camera, then the Canon PowerShot A2400 IS may be the camera for you. The price of this entry level digicam from Canon won’t break your bank, so that’s another reason to check out the gadget.

Canon introduced several pocket cameras in its “A” series Powershot line early this year. There were six “A” series digicams with a price tag between US$100 and US$200. The A series Powershot targets beginning photographer. The middle of that range is the Canon PowerShot A2400 with a $159.99 price tag.

In spite the price, the Canon PowerShot A2400 has optical image stabilization and it’s a great feature to have for beginners as it helps avoid camera shake in lower lighting or when optical zoom is maximized by the user. The optical image stabilization is plus feature for this budget digicam considering others in its price range only offer digital stabilization which is inferior to true optical IS like found on the A2400.

The body of the Canon PowerShot A2400 is slim and it is available in blue, pink, silver or black.

DIGICAM CONTROL

Canon has designed the camera so that it is easy to use as possible. There’s hardly any manual control which is great because it is less confusing for first-time camera owners or for people who want to just point and shoot. The Auto mode and Live mode are the only two options available at first glance, although you can reach a Program mode by drilling down through the Live mode menu.

The Canon point and shoot camera employs a 16 megapixel camera but of course we all know pixel number in cameras today are just marketing ploys. The camera uses 5x optical zoom and the LCD measures 2.7 inches. The LCD size is a bit small and the control buttons are not as comfortable to use given that it’s pretty small and crowded in the back panel.

The lens fully retracts into the body of the A2400 IS when the camera is powered down, and the lens glass is protected by a panel when the camera isn’t in use.

RESPONS TIME

As expected, this Canon budget camera has some shutter lag issues and users have to patient because there will be some delays. This is especially true for low light shots or when the built-in flash is not used. To be able to focus and take sharp photos, you have to pre-focus as often as possible by pressing the shutter button halfway. For mums out there thinking of buying this to capture photos of your hyper kids, well this may not be the best camera to do that. The A2400 IS has a burst mode, but it’s only going to shoot about one image per second.

IMAGE QUALITY

Canon’s point and shoot cameras have a reputation for taking quality images. The Canon PowerShot A2400 IS won’t disappoint users. The color is realistic thought a bit bright especially when shot outdoors. For indoor shooting the color accuracy is great whether you use the flash or not. The autofocus works pretty well in all types of shooting conditions. You’ll notice a bit of softness when you view the images at large sizes on your computer screen, but this is a common problem for beginner-level cameras like the A2400 IS. As long as you just archive photos online or print in rations like a 4×6 or 5×7, there won’t be any issues with the photo quality.

BOTTOM LINE

For a budget camera with a $160 price tag, Canon PowerShot A2400 IS is good-enough. Take note that we emphasize on good-enough because it certainly is not the best. If you’re looking for a true point and shoot camera that’s slim then this will not disappoint. However, a few more dollars and you can get a better camera with better features and faster speed. Perhaps you should consider investing a little bit more.

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Leaked Photos of the Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D & EF-S 18-135 IS STM

JUN

07

Canon fansite www.canonrumors.com alerted us  of the yet-to-be-announced Canon EOS Rebel T4i. Looks like an exciting DSLR to try!

Above is the picture of the new Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D. The lens on the camera is not the new rumoured 18-135 IS with a silent AF motor. There are no confirmed specs at this time, we expect those soon.

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Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS Digital Camera Review

JUN

14

The Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS is the latest rugged point and shoot camera from the company. The Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS also has a cheaper model, without the built-in GPS functionality. The regular WG-2 comes in red and black while the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS has an orange or white finish. The Pentax lifeproof camera sells for US$350.

Pentax dubs its rugged point and shoot cameras as “lifeproof” cameras. The Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS has the look and the feel of a lifeproof, rugged gadget with the metal, plastic and rubber ensuring great handling while at the same time protecting your digital camera from the elements.

The camera body of the WG-2 can survive extreme shooting conditions – 40 feet underwater, a drop of 5 feet, temepertures as low as 14 degree F. It also boasts that it can withstand as much as 220lbs of pressure. It is sealed up and is completely dustproof. To add to its rugged look, the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS has a carabiner strap instead of a normal camera strap.

This underwater, adventure camera’s built-in GPS allows you to record coordinates while shooting, as well as automatically setting the camera’s clock.

FEATURES

The Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS has a 16 Megapixel backside Illuminated CMOS imaging sensor, built-in GPS, LED ring light, 3-inch LCD and full 1080p HD video capture –all the necessary features of a digicam.

It’s fully automatic and has shooting modes for both above and below water. It also has additional features such as an HDR imitation feature, a digital microscope for extreme close-ups and several face detection features, making it a camera you can play with.

WG-2 HANDLING

The handling of the latest rugged Pentax is great as it has a thin body that’s easy to operate. The camera’s controls are tiny but you can find it easily and control it with ease. The LCD of the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS is 3 inch, a good size, with 460,000 dot.

IMAGE QUALITY

The problem with the Pentax Optio WG-2 is with the outdoor image, which has a certain amount of noise present, even at the lowest ISO. This prevents users from taking sharp images. Some of the areas are also proned to over exposure.

This waterproof camera has 5x internal optical zoom which allows the camera to zoom even underwater. Its 35mm equivalent of 28-140mm is great for close to mid-ranged situations as well as vast landscapes.

Indoor shooting shows similar noise and softness as its outdoor images. Any setting above ISO 800 is unacceptable.

UNDERWATER CAMERA

The most enjoyable use of the Pentax Optio WG-2 is underwater where the LCD is easy to see. It also adjusts the color and light sensitivity when using the preset “underwater” shooting mode. Even face detection worked fairly well, detecting faces underwater; including faces that had goggles on. Again, the only dilemma with the camera is the noise it creates, especially with higher ISO.

Bottom Line – The Pentax Optio WG-2 is a true rugged camera, which will survive extreme adventures. The handling and aesthics of the camera is great but the quality of the images may not be the best in the market.

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Apple iOS 6 Lets You Share Photo Streams via iCloud

JUN

14

The internet has exploded with news of Apple’s next generation iOS. The Apple iOS 6 now has 200 new features and upgrades – including Photo Stream sharing via iCloud.

Although iOS 6 won’t be available on compatible devices until sometime this fall, the first beta build is currently available to developers. Verdict on people who played with the new iOS 6 said it was a solid Apple iOS upgrade.

Photo Stream sharing, Safari, FaceTime 3G and more:
Apple iOS 6′s new PhotoStream is exciting as it become fully integrated in iCloud. With this feature, users can promptly grab photos and share them to another user or to groups. Just pick the image, choose “Photo Stream” from the share menu and add your contacts. You have the option to make the collection private or visible on iCloud.com.

Other users can comment on your images and add photos from their own Photo Stream. When you remove a photo in Photo Stream it will also remove it from everyone’s device. It’s a bit like Glassboard, but incorporated into the OS and tied to iCloud.

For more information about the Apple iOS 6, visit TechRadar.

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Canon Develops EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm F2.8 STM Lenses

JUN

13

Canon has created the EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm F2.8 STM lenses with stepper motors for fast, quiet operation when shooting video.

Here’s the press release:

“

London, UK, 8 June 2012 – Canon today unveils two new compact, lightweight lenses – the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. Showcasing a number of new features, including continuous autofocus in Movie mode, both models offer superior image quality and enhanced flexibility to enable photographers of all skill levels to capture both stills and movies of practically any subject.
Fast, accurate autofocus for film-makers and photographers

As well as offering full-time manual focus controls when shooting stills, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM are both also ideal for aspiring movie makers, allowing them to focus more accurately during shooting. The perfect companion lenses to the new EOS 650D, both models feature new stepper motor technology (STM), enabling fast, continuous focus when recording moving subjects – ensuring movies will be smoother and clearer than ever before.

Offering enhanced AF performance with high-speed, high-precision focusing, the two new lenses make it easy for photographers to capture more spontaneous shots, with exceptional detail and clarity. This is particularly useful for documentary, action or travel photography. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.39m and 0.3m respectively, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM allow you to get even closer to the action whilst keeping the subject in perfect focus.

Offering a focal range of 18–135mm, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM has been created to offer photographers a compact, versatile zoom lens which can be used to capture a variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes and action shots. Ensuring high-quality stills at slow shutter speeds, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM features an intelligent optical Image Stabilizer which offers a 4-stop advantage over non-IS models. The lens will also sense whether the photographer is shooting normally or panning, engaging the most appropriate IS mode to capture the best possible image. When shooting movies, Dynamic IS automatically engages, countering any shake caused by the videographer’s movement to produce smooth, stable footage.

For subtle background blur when exploring shallow depths of field in stills and movies, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM features a circular aperture with an Electro Magnetic Diaphragm (EMD) which permits highly-accurate control over aperture settings. High image quality is also assured throughout the zoom range thanks to four groups of lens elements including one Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) and one Precision Molded Optics (PMo) element to counter chromatic aberration. Canon’s optimised Super spectra coatings on each lens element also reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring images require minimal post-processing.
EF 40mm f/2.8 STM – super-slim, high image quality

The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is Canon’s first EF pancake lens with a fixed focal length of 40mm and wide f/2.8 aperture, making it ideal for photographers who want a versatile, compact and lightweight lens for portrait, reportage, travel or landscape situations. Precision control over the circular, seven-blade aperture is enabled by the EMD, producing a beautiful bokeh effect and an aspheric lens with Super spectra coatings ensures optimal image quality from the centre of the lens to the periphery for stunning shots of practically any subject.
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – key features

Versatile 18-135mm zoom range – perfect for travel
Smooth, quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras
Dynamic Image Stabilizer for smooth movie footage
Fast autofocus with full-time manual override
Minimum focusing distance of 0.39m

EF 40mm f/2.8 STM – key features

Portable pancake design
Smooth, quiet STM focusing when shooting movies on compatible cameras
Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture for low-light shooting
Close focus to 0.3m
Fast, quiet AF for pin-sharp results
Great image quality right across the frame

Canon EF-S 18-135mmm F3.5-5.6 IS STM specifications

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Kodak Employees Used a 13 Month Calendar

JUN

13

It sounds weird and not employee friendly but did you know that people who worked for Kodak followed a 13 month calendar? Kodak used the International Fixed Calendar.

“

The International Fixed calendar (also known as the Cotsworth plan, the Eastman plan, the 13 Month calendar or the Equal Month calendar) is a solar calendar proposal for calendar reform designed by Moses B. Cotsworth, who presented it in 1902.[1] It provides for a year of 13 months of 28 days each, with one or two days a year belonging to no month or week. It is therefore a perennial calendar, with every date fixed always on the same weekday. Though it was never officially adopted in any country, it was the official calendar of the Eastman Kodak Company from 1928 to 1989.[2]

The calendar year has 13 months with 28 days each, divided into exactly 4 weeks [(13 * 28) = 364]. An extra day added as a holiday at the end of the year, sometimes called “Year Day,” brings the total to 365 days. Each year coincides with the corresponding Gregorian year, so January 1 in the Cotsworth calendar always falls on Gregorian January 1.[3] Twelve months are named and ordered the same as those of the Gregorian calendar, except that the extra month is inserted between June and July, and called Sol. Situated in mid-summer, the name of the new month was chosen in homage to the sun.[4] But it escaped notice that the sun’s prominence around June and July holds for the Northern hemisphere only.

”

Kodak’s founder George Eastman became a huge supporter of the new calendar and it was implemented in 1928. What are the advantages of using it?

The several advantages of The International Fixed Calendar are mainly related to its organization:

• Every year has exactly 52 weeks divided in 13 months.
• Each month has exactly 28 days divided in 4 weeks.
• The calendar is the same every year (perennial), unlike the annual Gregorian calendar, which differs from year to year. Hence, scheduling is easier for institutions and industries with extended production cycles.
• Every day of the month falls on the same weekday in each month—the 17th always falls on a Tuesday, for example.
• Statistical comparisons by months are more accurate, since all months contain exactly the same number of business days and weekends; likewise for comparisons by 13-week quarters.
• Thirteen equal divisions of the year are superior to twelve unequal divisions in terms of monthly cash flow in the economy, or so supporters of the IFC argued

via Peta Pixel

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Samyang Announces Fish-Eye Lens

JUN

13

Samyang is set to release an 8mm F2.8 fish-eye lens for Samsung NX and the Sony E-mount that’s used on it NEX mirrorless cameras. The new fish-eye lens is an addition to the already available F3.5 fish-eye intended for the NEX VG10 camcorder. The Samyang F2.8 fish-eye has ten lens elements in eight groups (rather than the F3.5′s 10/7 design). That includes one aspherical element and two ED (extra low dispersion glass) elements. Samyang has not mentioned the price and availability.

Here’s the press release:

“

Krakow, June 11th 2012 – Samyang Optics proudly informs that by the end of June we will release the newest Samyang 8mm 1:2.8 UMC Fish-eye lens tailored for Sony NEX and Samsung NX cameras.

Samyang 8mm 1:2.8 UMC Fish-eye is currently the smallest and the brightest Fish-eye lens compatible with compact cameras featuring APS-C sensor. It perfectly combines high optical value, impressive lens speed and exceptionally compact sizes.

Its sophisticated optical construction relies on the system of 10 lenses arranged in 8 groups. They include, among others, one aspherical (AS) lens and two lenses made of extra low dispersion glass (ED). This provides perfect sharpness for the entire field of view and maximum aperture of f/2.8. Obviously all surfaces of the lenses were covered with multi-layered UMC anti-reflective coatings adding to the high contrast and splendid light transmission.

Samyang 8mm 1:2.8 UMC Fish-eye will be marketed with Sony E (NEX) and Samsung NX mount. In both cases its maximum angle of view will amount to 180 degree, with the minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters.

Release date and the expected price will be separately announced on a later date.

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Canon Unveils Two New EF Lenses

JUN

09

Canon unveiled its latest DSLR, the Canon EOS 650D/ Rebel T4i. Alongside Canon’s announcement of its latest entry-level DSLR camera is news about two new EF lenses that are designed specifically to take advantage of the T4i’s new shooting functions; such as continuous AF while capturing full HD video. Both the Canon EF lenses employ the company’s all new Stepping Motor Technology (STM). The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lenses are said to obtain autofocus “smoothly and silently”. This is great news for video enthusiasts who are thinking of getting the Canon EOS 650D for its continuous AF abilities in movie mode thanks to Servo AF.

Canon UK has confirmed that the EOS 650D will cost £699.99 body only and go on sale on 15 June. The company announced the 40mm f/2.8 STM (stepping motor) pancake will cost £229.99.

Here’s the press release:

“

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., June 8, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced a new flagship model in its most popular EOS Rebel line, the Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera. The new EOS Rebel T4i features incredible image quality with an 18-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, DIGIC 5 Image Processor that helps capture all the action with high-speed continuous shooting of up to five frames per second (fps) and an extended ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600 in H mode) that gives photographers the opportunities to take the EOS Rebel T4i into more shooting situations than ever before.

The camera includes a revolutionary new autofocus (AF) system to help achieve fast, sharp focus and smooth HD video. The new AF system includes a nine-point all cross-type sensor array, and new Hybrid CMOS AF which achieves fast focus when shooting stills or video in Live View mode. Much to the pleasure of aspiring student filmmakers and parents everywhere, the Rebel T4i features Canon’s new Movie Servo AF providing a quiet, continuous AF during HD video recording when using one of Canon’s newly introduced Stepping Motor (STM) lenses. The silent continuous autofocus when shooting HD video helps ensure the camera only captures the sounds of the scene being recorded. When combined with the camera’s new Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II and intuitive “fingertip” controls, touch-menu and advanced still and video capabilities, the EOS Rebel T4i stands as Canon’s most “consumer-friendly” DSLR to date.

“Our Rebel line of cameras bridges the gap between the casual photographer and someone looking to advance their photography and capture moments in new and creative ways. The EOS Rebel T4i boasts full HD video with AF and touch-screen navigation, inspiring even more photographers and videographers to explore the creative options made possible with DSLR cameras and lenses,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

New AF Capabilities

One of the most significant upgrades to the EOS Rebel T4i is a dramatically upgraded AF system including a nine-point all cross-type AF array, with a high-precision dual-cross f/2.8 point at center. The EOS Rebel T4i is the first Canon camera to feature the new Hybrid CMOS AF system which increases AF speed by reducing the camera’s need to “hunt” for focus. The result is fast continuous AF when shooting photos and movies in Live View. Because the camera’s cross-type AF points have two-dimensional contrast detection, the EOS Rebel T4i provides highly accurate focus regardless of your shot composition and ensures great focus no matter where the subject is located in the frame. The addition of the dual-cross point in the center allows for much faster and precise focusing for photographers using high-speed f/2.8 lenses.

Using the touch panel, parents can select their child on the LCD screen and the camera will remain focused on that child while they stay in-frame, ensuring sharp focus in crowds and group shots. The new AF system enables Touch Focus for shooting photos and movies in Live View. To make capturing photos even easier, a Touch Shutter function can also be enabled, whereby selecting a subject on the LCD screen, the camera will instantly take a photo, once focus is locked.

Continuous AF during HD Video Recording

For the first time in a Canon EOS DSLR, the EOS Rebel T4i includes Canon’s new Movie Servo AF for recording video. When used with Canon’s new EF and EF-S STM lenses, the camera can provide smooth and quiet continuous AF while recording video. This technological breakthrough enables the new EOS Rebel T4i to achieve AF while still retaining a DSLR camera’s signature background blur and image quality, producing stunning videos of parties, events, summer vacations or graduations.

When shooting video with Canon’s STM lenses, AF also remains silent, helping ensure you only capture the sound of the scene being recorded. The EOS Rebel T4i features a built-in stereo microphone, a first for the Rebel line, that includes an attenuator function to reduce audio distortion in extra loud situations.

Canon’s First Touch-Screen DSLR

Another Canon first, the EOS Rebel T4i includes a best-in-class Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II featuring 1.04 million dot resolution for unparalleled, clear viewing. The electro-static touch-panel screen is the most advanced that Canon has released to date with multi-touch capabilities allowing photographers to use familiar gestures such as “pinch-to-zoom” and “swiping” to scroll between pictures. Camera operation has been simplified through this feature allowing for Touch Focus or Touch Shutter controls via the vari-angle touch-screen. The vari-angle touch-screen flips out to the left and rotates 180 degrees forward and 90 degrees backward, making tough above-the-head and low-to-the-ground shots easy, and allowing improved views during photo or video capture. That means the overhead shot taken in a crowd or at a graduation march just got a little easier to shoot.

Improved Imaging Performance Features

The EOS Rebel T4i helps novice photographers capture great images and video, even in low-light with a range of new and upgraded modes:

Handheld Night Scene
HDR Backlight Control
Multi-Shot Noise Reduction
Video Snapshot
Scene Intelligent Auto

Canon’s new shooting modes (Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control and Multi-Shot Noise Reduction), take multiple pictures, and combine them – in camera – to help capture a wider dynamic range, minimize the image grain or noise, and produce more vivid colors so landscapes and city scenes are as breathtaking as when seen in person.

Families have enjoyed coming home from a vacation or outing with a fun, short Video Snapshot highlight reel shot on their Canon camera to share the full story of their adventure. Now with the EOS Rebel T4i users will also have the option to delete, cut or re-order the clips before exporting the Snapshot album to post or share.

Canon’s Scene Intelligent Auto mode – the “green” mode on the dial – analyzes the scene being shot, taking into account faces, colors, brightness, movement and contrast, to select appropriate camera settings and help produce the best possible image. This mode has been enhanced to deliver the best possible exposure, particularly when shooting in low-light.

New STM Lenses and Accessories

To leverage the unique, new shooting functions of the EOS Rebel T4i, such as EOS Full HD Movie with continuous AF, Canon is introducing two new unique lenses, the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens and new EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens. Both new STM lenses include Canon’s new Stepping Motor technology, which allows the lenses to smoothly and silently focus, and when used in combination with Canon’s new EOS Rebel T4i Movie Servo AF feature, achieve continuous AF while recording video. The new stepping motor technology in both lenses quietly focuses allowing the EOS Rebel T4i’s stereo microphone to only record the sounds of the scene being shot.

The versatile EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens offers the right combination of size, weight, image stabilization and focal length, allowing photographers to capture wide-angle or telephoto photographs and video. This lens is a great option for photographers who may only want to carry one lens with them for both wide landscapes, and close-ups. Appearing for the first time in a Canon EF lens is Dynamic IS (Movie Shooting Mode only) that uses a wide image stabilization correction range to help ensure steady video even when shooting while walking.

The new EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens offers an ultra-slim, lightweight design that helps photographers avoid overwhelming their subjects with a large lens and to remain discreet in sensitive shooting situations without compromising performance. The “pancake-style” lens boasts an aperture of f/2.8 making it an ideal lens for capturing portrait stills or stunning video. The lens is under an inch thick when attached, making it easy to carry and fit conveniently into a purse or pocket.

The EOS Rebel T4i is also compatible with Canon’s previously introduced GP-E2 GPS Receiver that can be mounted to the camera’s accessory shoe. The GPS unit was created to serve outdoor photographers; it records shooting locations including latitude, longitude and altitude, as well as camera direction. A Logging function can tell how far a photographer has traveled as well.

Availability

The EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR camera will be available at the end of June for an estimated retail price of $849.99 for the body alone; $949.99 bundled with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens kit and a Movie Kit bundle for $1199.00 with the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.

The new EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens and the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens will also be available separately at the end of June at an estimated retail price of $199.99 and $549.99 respectively

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Olympus: It’s Always Darkest Before The Dawn

The Olympus debacle is a tragic case where things must turn for the worst before it can become better. Olympus has announced that it will slash off 2,700 jobs and it will give Michael Woodford – the whistler blower that revealed the Japanese firm’s accounting fraud, a £10m settlement for his claim that he was unfairly dismissed.

The Japanese company said it will cut 7 percent of its global workforce by March 2014, a way for the company to aggressively cut costs.

Olympus revealed it will cut around 7% of its global workforce by 31 March 2014 as part of an ‘aggressive’ cost-cutting strategy. This will involve ‘elimination and consolidation’ of 30 production sites (around 40%), and the firm plans to ‘restructure’ its imaging manufacturing functions.

Olympus is relying on its mirrorless technology to revive the company and it would be putting all of its resources on mirrorless cameras.

In a report the company stated that ‘medium-term vision’ statement, released today, the company adds: ‘In the imaging business we will review our product line-up by allocating management resources with a focus on mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras and high-end compact cameras, while improving profitability.’

Does this mean the Olympus will no longer produce DSLRs? Another effect of Olympus’ company restructure is that it will no longer produce ‘low-end’ compacts, on grounds that these deliver ‘low-profit’ potential in its mature markets.

Olympus says it will ‘strive’ to ensure its imaging business breaks into profit by ‘March 2013′.

We wish them all the best!

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SANTIAGO CHOPPER KAWASAKI H2

Alan Bernard is a colorful character. Based in Florida, he runs Santiago Chopper and created theNorley Cafe Racer. Here’s his latest bike, and it’s got to be his most extreme yet—in terms of engineering, as well as the fluoro color scheme.

This machine has got the ‘go’ to match the show. The motor started life as a Kawasaki 750 H2, but it’s a high-power drag bike engine built by Fast By Gast that sucks through 40mm Lectron carbs. It’s nestling in a 1988 Suzuki GSX-R frame, with a front end from a Ducati 1098. (The swingarm and wheels are also from the Ducati parts bin.) The tank and seat unit were hand-made at Santiago Chopper, with frame mods done by Aztech Welding. The whole shebang was put together with the help of mechanic Mike Lima.

And that paint job? It was designed by Bernard himself, and laid on by Craig Paints Bikes. If you’re a Kawasaki fan and like your bikes to have a bit of hooligan in them, maybe this is the machine for you.

Images © Erick Runyon of Choppershotz. For commissions, bookings and fine art prints contact Erick here.

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