March 2007

The E-330 is a competent, versatile 7.5 megapixel digital SLR with a "live view" wide viewing angle LCD so you don't always have to look through the viewfinder. It uses a number of advanced technologies that eliminate dust on the mirror, enhance picture quality, and adds some handy consumer camera goodies such as numerous "scene" mode settings. We gave the E-330 a good workout, and that includes a lot of underwater shooting, using the E-330's optional PT-E02 deepwater housing system. [Read detailed review of the Olympus Evolt E-330 dSLR with underwater housing]

Sony introduces 15X zoom Cyber-shot H7 and H9
Sony introduced two SLR-style longzoom cameras for those who like to bring the action, no matter how fast and furious it is, very close. The new Cyber-shot DSC-H7 and DSC-H9 are 8.1 megapixel cameras with massive 15X optical zooms. They offer a variety of technologies to provide steady, blur-free shots. The primary difference between the two is that the H9 has a large 3.0-inch flip-up LCD screen whereas the H7 has a fixed 2.5-inch display. [read previews of the Cyber-shot H7 and H9] -- Posted Wednesday, March 7, 2007 by chb

USA Today report on the state of digital cameras
A USA Today summary of the current state of digital cameras reports that about 30 million digicams were sold in the US in 2006, and about the same number are expected to be sold this year. Among new developments, the report cites a moves towards digital cameras that can also record high definition video, An example is the Canon powerShot TX1. Problem is that expensive SD cards aren't yet price-competitive with mini-DV tape. Others are optimizing cameras for high-definition still shots for HDTV. A number of new Sony models have such outputs. Face detection is lauded as a way to better portraits. Finally, just when the computer industry is giving up on IR, digicams seem to discover it as a way to copy pics from camera to camera, as demonstrated by Fuji. -- Posted Wednesday, March 7, 2007 by chb

Olympus releases two new compact digital SLRs
Olympus announced the Evolt E-410 and E-510 digital single lens reflex cameras. Both have a 10-megapixel imager, a terrific live view LCD with brilliant color and an ultra-wide viewing angle from all sides, both use a clever dust reduction system that works with all digital-specific lenses, both use TruePic III processing for great color and quality, and both can be purchased body alone, with a 28-82mm lens, or with both the 28-82mm and a 80-300mm lens. The primary difference between the two is the slightly larger and heavier E-510's mechanical image stabilization that can make a big difference. See previews of the Evolt E-410 and the Evolt E-510. -- Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2007 by chb

Review: Waterproof Olympus Stylus 770 SW
Don't want the bulk of a dedicated underwater camera housing? Then consider the 7.1 megapixel Olympus Stylus 770 SW that's waterproof to 33 feet, has a terrific wide-viewing-angle 2.5-inch LCD and is still small enough to fit into any pocket. And it's also shockproof, crushproof and can handle temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. We extensively tested the 770 underwater and took it down to almost 70 feet. No problem. Read our full review of the Olympus Stylus 770 SW. -- Posted Friday, March 2, 2007 by chb