Pictures - Virtual Reality Images

Images of pure imagination are added to the album "Virtual Reality". They were created with E-on VUE6 software.

http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/VirtualReality

Cameras - Remarkable Compacts - Part 1

Compact cameras are non interchangeable lens cameras with box shape proportions. The size may vary from shirt pocket size up to small "brick". The box shape is important for carrying. During operation, the lens may protrude outside. In some cases, during operation, the lens may even multiply the camera depth - It still complies. In addition, compact cameras are distinguished here from superzoom "compacts". The later are larger and do not have the "brick" shape - The lens is always protruding from the body.
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The following cameras, appearing in a random order. They are representing innovation, capabilities, special sensor or lens and most important trend setter. The image quality, while well proven, is one of the factors here, not the only one.
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1. Samsung WB 550

The 10X zoom lens, starting from a relatively 24mm wide up to 240mm, getting this camera inside. Compact cameras with high factor, collapsible, zoom lens are becoming popular now. Samsung was the first with such wide angle.
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2. Sigma DP2

The Sigma DP2 is part of the high end, single focal length lens's compacts. The "high end" is coming from the higher image quality possible with premium, simpler optical design optics. In this group, the Sigma DP2 is special - It is using a relatively larger sensor (Almost DSLR size). More important, it is the only compact camera to use the FOVEON sensor - The only sensor providing a true RGB value from each pixel. Getting, heoretically, higher color resolution.
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3. Sony DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1

Both cameras are latest in Sony's "T" (Flat camera) and "W" (Wide angle lens camera) series. They are using the new Exmor-R CMOS sensor. As trend setter, they are one of the first compact cameras to use CMOS sensor. This sensor type provides high frame rate and lower battery consumption. The Exmor-R sensor is using a new design where the light is entering from the "other" sensor side - Not through the sensor's conductor layers. More light is getting to the sensor cells, contributing to lower noise at night shots. Sony is using the high frame rate capability to further extend the low noise figure, by combining a few shots taken at high speed, of the same scene. The cameras perform automatic panorama pictures, by stitching, automatically, pictures taken while sweeping the camera along the scene. Both cameras exhibit the potential of combing high frame rate with powerful image processing.
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4. Panasonic TZ7 (ZS3)

The Panasonic TZ7 is another example of a powerful zoom lens (12X) inside a compact body. Due to a special lens design (Part of the lens is horizontally embedded inside the body), the lens is not protruding, as with other 10X, or higher zoom, lenses. The Panasonic lens is also wider then usual, starting at 25mm (up to 300mm). It was one of the first compacts with H.264, compact video format, enabled.

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5. Samsung ST550

The Samsung ST 550 is the first compact camera that assist its user with self portraits, without using a swivel display. It is simply using a second LCD display facing forward.
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6. Ricoh GR Digital III

The Ricoh GR Digital III is the latest model from a premium compact cameras line starting in the film days. It is a single focal length design with wide open aperture at F1.9 (The highest in compact cameras today). In addition a larger sensor is used here.
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7. Olympus STYLUS TOUGH-8000

The latest in Olympus's tough cameras line. Olympus started this compact camera market segment and still leading. This camera can be submerged, freezed, dropped and still work under these conditions.
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8. Olympus STYLUS-9000

High zoom factor (10X) compact camera - Olympus member in this highly popular market segment.
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9. Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj

This Nikon Coolpix is the first, and the only so far, camera with integrated mini projector. The shots can immediately be shared by projecting them on a wall.
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10. Panasonic LX3

The Panasonic LX3 is top of Panasonic's compact cameras and stands against the Canon G11 and the Nikon Coolpix 6000. It is using a larger sensor for lower noise images. The lens aperture is open wide at F2.0 while still providing a moderate zoom: 24-60mm.
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11. Lieca X1

A new camera and the first compact camera to use an DSLR grade, APS-C size sensor. All in a very small body. To keep the camera small, with such huge sensor, a fixed focal length lens of 35mm is used. Images taken with the F2.8 lens should have the same quality of DSLR - First for compact camera.

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12. Panasonic FT1 (TS1)

Panasonic entered the tough camera segment with this camera - The first tough camera with the compact H.264 video capability.
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13. Ricoh CX2

Following the CX1 - The first compact camera to use CMOS sensor. This high zoom factor camera (10x) benefits from the sensor's high frame rate capability (5 fps). It can generate wide dynamic range images by combining two successive shots (taken fast enough) of the same scene with different exposure settings.
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14. Nikon Coolpix 6000

Nikon version of the premium camera segment. It enables full manual control, as other premium cameras and automatic geotagging using internal GPS receiver.

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15. Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

Canon version of the high zoom factor lens (12X) segment.

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16. Canon G11

Canon best compact camera. Providing lower resolution (10Mp) then its predecessor the G10 (14.7 Mp), but with better image quality due to the larger pixels (See Panasonic LX3 who was the first to stop the megapixel race at 10Mp). It is using a tough construction (Not so small) with zoom lens starting at F2.0.

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17. Canon Powershot S90

This canon can be considered as a slimmed down version of the G11. It is much smaller (actually one of the smallest compacts) but using the same sensor of the G11. The lens here is also starting at F2.0, special at this size.

For more remarkable compact cameras, please refer to part 2.

Cameras - Remarkable Compacts - Part 2

Before reading part 2 of "Remarkable Compacts" it is advised to refer to the prefix of part 1.
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This section will add Fujifilm and Casio cameras
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18. Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR


Fujifilm was, along the years, different from the "crowed". They developed their own sensors rather then using Sony (and sometimes Samsung) sensors. Their "Super CCD" and its derivatives claimed wide dynamic range capabilities. Doing so by using cells of two sizes to handle the highlights and the shadows - at the same time. This camera is the latest and expected to deliver higher dynamic range then any other compact camera - Delivering contrasty image without white clipping or noise in the shadows.

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19. Casio EXILIM EX-FC100

Latest Casio technology delivering the highest frame rate of any compact (Actually, superior to any DSLR). This capability is used for stills (30 FPS at 6Mpixel) and video (about 200 FPS for VGA movie). The later enables a smooth slow motion playback.

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The list will updated when new models will be released.

Pictures - Candid People Shots

Candid pictures of people during everyday life, as the picture above, are published in the following link:

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum/People

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This album is still under construction and more shots will be added.

Cars - User Wishes

The car industry releases new models on a regular basis. Usually, every 5 years for American and European manufactures and every 3 years for Japanese and Korean manufactures. The new models are more of styling rather then technology. We are still using the same gas engine, where only recently electric (Hybrid) cars emerged. Electronics and computers are used, but at a very conservative manner. When looking at a brochure of a new car, the marketing is mostly based on the styling and some fashion oriented items: Safety, fuel efficiency, internal seat layout to name a few.
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From a user point of view, there are many items to consider. Some of them are small afterthoughts while others are more meaningful. The items in the next list are based on technologies and capabilities available today. Some of them were already used in some form.
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1. Visibility
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When designing a new car today, two major factors are used: The car floor (Which handle the engine and the wheels) and a styled box built on this floor. The style should be eye catching and actually should drive the customer to be in love with the car (and buying it, of course). The modern car styling involves sometimes high windows line, large roof pillars that slope to the front and the rear ends. The result are dead sections, where the driver can not see anything. The highly popular minivan styling concept is the worse of them. The front pillars are slopping to the engine's front, blocking the side view which is essential when making a turn. Car users are asking car manufactures to design the car around the driver (and the passengers). The styling should be limited to not degrading the driver visibility. Practically, it will be difficult to change styling trends. Also, the pillars should be large enough from a safety considerations. The solution may use corner mounted cameras to improve the visibility. A warning system may also be used to trigger a real time warning signal in case some object is existing in the dead zones.
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2. Protection
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Modern cars scarifies the car protection for a better looks. Years ago, cars had bumpers and some kind of rubber protection strips along their sides. Not saying that modern cars are suffers from any safety issue, they are more vulnerable to everyday impacts. Bumpers evolved to huge, front and rear car parts. Low speed collisions (Even while parking), with higher impact then the bumper flexibility, may cause a deformation. Sometimes a complete bumper replacement is necessary - a large investments. Bumpers should be splitted to smaller parts. This way, a replacement when needed, will be much economical. Same for the rubber strips - Drivers want them: Lowering the scratches on the car is more important then the car streaming styling.
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3. Suspension
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Ride quality is a direct product of the car suspension. Car stability is also deeply effected by the suspension design. Here are two requirements which can not handled by a single design. Softer suspensions will contribute to higher comfortably, while harder suspension will better handle car's roll during turning. Modern European and Japanese cars are favoring the sports attitude to deliver a car which can ride faster on turning. We get harder suspension which makes regular driver life's tougher. The suspension design should use active (dynamic) controllers (Today's suspension is passive). A computer should control the suspension hardness according to the road quality and the driving style. For example, setting a softer suspension for low speed driving and make the suspension tougher on higher speeds, especially during turns.
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4. Traffic management
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Turning the engine on, each driver is by his/her own. Going from one location the other is involving decision making - the route. We are making a decision without any information available. To have a route based on traffic loading and optimal path, getting real time updates while driving, Two already available technologies may be used: GPS and cellular communication. The car location can be transmitted continuously. A central management will process the car's desired route (and destination), analyzing environment factors as loading, street profile and possible known disturbances (A football match). The outcome, per car instructions, will be transmitted to the car and will used as guidance information. This method is better the current GPS navigation which, usually, does not having such options.
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5. Events handling
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Car events are handled today on a partial basis. ABS and ESP system are translating car's status into actions. Others are displayed as warnings - The handling is up to the driver's skills. It is more as a separate systems, each doing its own function. A central car management system is desired. Each system will be linked to it, sharing real time events and, if needed, get instructions. It will function more as a PC working with its peripheral devices. For example, a sudden drop in the air pressure in one of the car's wheels will be a managed event: The manager will activate a process instructing the engine, brakes, steering wheel to process a safely stopping. A communication protocol (real time protocol) is desired and the car's components should interface with.
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6. User interface
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Today's car user interface is based on old concepts - Mechanical fixed dials with small LCD screens for additional info. Not going here to suggest a replacement for the steering wheel (A joystick ?!?), but, we can do better for presenting the information. The essential information, as the car's speed, should be displayed on the front glass. The driver will not have to pull his/her sight from the road. In place of the mechanical dials, LCD screen should be used. The driver can used a personal style to have the information. Some information is not needed all the time, so, screens can be exchanged according to the information needed. For example, MB S-Class is using LCD monitor. During night driving the gauges are moving aside to free space to the night vision system's display.
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7. Maintenance
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The car's major components to be maintained should be located for easy reach. Looking at the engine's bay today, it seems they are located where spare space was left. Computerized diagnostic systems may report the car status immediately upon entering service, or even create a service call automatically. It will make car be on the same maintenance level no matter the driver knowledge or the sensitivity to abnormal car behaviour.
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8. Engines
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The engines used today show nothing new from past 100 years. True, we have computers managing the engine and even having hybrid cars, using gas and electrical engine combination. We can do better. The target is reducing travel cost and pollution. Electrical engines used today as boosters. The main engine is still the gas engine. The desired solution should use electrical motors as the prime motors. They will be using batteries charged by household power (In addition to the braking energy). The gas engine will be used as emergency power generator - To be operated only when the batteries are fully discharged. It will charge the batteries and will not have any direct connection with the wheels. This solution is well suited to urban driving.
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9. Layout
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Cars, after all, accommodate their passengers. They are sitting between the front and the rear wheels, facing forward. Not going to suggest any major change with this concept. However, the passengers space may be enlarged to provide better internal space. The wheels should be positioned at the car's corners. This concept is already used in small cars. Going to larger ones, the wheels are pushed inside and the bumpers create large overhangs, front and rear. Designing cars this way, we will get larger inside with same, or even, smaller, external dimensions.
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10. Safety
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Nothing to add here - The effort should continue. We may be on track with mechanical safety. This is a passive act that handle the actual collision. Active devices, to achieve minimal space between cars, obstacle avoidance and others should be a standard. It will contribute to prevent sure collision situations.
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11. Car management
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Car management is fully controlled today by the driver - Using (or limited by) the options provided by the car manufacture. For example, we are limited to the stability and ride quality set by the suspension designer. The car management should be partially transferred to the car's computer. The driver should set the driving profile - City, highway, traffic jam, parking and so on. The car management will adjust the gear ratios, suspension style, steering wheel sensitivity, engine utilization and others. The outcome: A car which behaves optimally to the driving conditions. Note - Some additional systems should be added to the car to have such capabilities.

Pictures - Ein Kerem (Jerusalem)

This session is mostly dedicated to Ein Kerem's churches:
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir61/EinKerem112009

Pictures - Jaffa Flea Market and more

The second photography session (Following the Jerusalem session) is providing characters and objects, daylight, Jaffa, Israel. Same Panasonics travel companions - TZ5 and FZ28
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir61/JaffaFleaMarket112009

Cameras - DSLR Lenses You May Need

This item may have a few alternative titles: "Remarkable lenses", "Best Lenses" or "Recommended Lenses". Looking at these options, they seems too ambitious and what is actually presented here is just a wish list. More of it, the lenses here are for their flexibility and usability. Quality will be a secondary factor. The motivation for such priority is due to the fact that I am a "portable" photographer (Having to carry the equipment for long travels) and the fact that lenses, today, provide acceptable quality.
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The lenses list, following, is of different manufactures. This means that they can not be mounted on a single DSLR. Each camera manufacture has its own recommended lens set. It may be a future item here. The lenses will appear at a random order. The list should be considered incomplete and do not intend to present all available lenses.





The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM is available for APS-C cameras of all major manufactures. Providing focal length of about 28-80mm. It is here for its F2.8 aperture at the wide side. It will enable low light capability for scenic and urban images. When travelling, it will provide a modest zoom range (good enough for scenic) and will enable night shots without any additional lens.

The Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm F4.0-5.8 ASPH Mega OIS available only for Micro Four Thirds (Panasonic and Olympus). It is a single lens covering any focal length needed (28-280mm). It is here for its compact dimensions (considering the focal range) and its remarkable edge to edge sharpness.

The Nikon 80-400MM F4.5-5.6D AF VR available for both Nikon APS-C (DX) and full frame (FX) DSLR's. It is here for its telephoto zoom range at affordable price and (relatively) portable dimensions.

The Nikon 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G VR ED AF-S DX is available for Nikon APS-C (DX) DSLR's, providing 24-128mm focal range. This focal length is ideal for travel, especially for tight urban locations. The 24mm will provide a dramatic scene, if used properly. When traveling to large cities as New-York, London, Paris... it will be the ideal travel companion. The tele end, moderate focal length, may be good enough for people photography (When you can get close).

The Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR II is available for Nikon APS-C (DX) DSLR's. Providing 28-300mm focal range. It is here because the focal range at affordable price and relatively (for its focal range) compact dimensions. Actually, it is the best option for Nikon DX users that want to carry a single lens doing all. It will eliminate the need to switch lenses to handle different photography challenges.

The Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor is a macro lens available for Nikon DX and FX DSLR's. It is here because of the image stabilizer unique for this type of lens (Macro lens).

The Nikon 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED VR AF-S available for Nikon DX (300-600mm) and FX DSLR's. It is here for its zoom range (May get to 900 in DX with 1.5x extender) and the professional constant aperture.

The Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR is the full frame version (FX) of the 16-85mm (DX) lens. Actually, available first for film cameras and became relevant again when full frame DSLR's appeared.

The Nikon 10-24mm 3.5-4.5G ED DX is available for Nikon DX DSLR's and providing a wide zoom focal lengths (16-36mm). It is here due to its extremely wide field of view which may generate dramatic images. After practicing with the "standard" zooms, starting with 28 or 24mm focal length, this lens will add dramatic effect for any trivial image.

The Pentax DA 21mm f3.2 AL "Pancake" is available for Pentax DSLR's (APS-C only), Providing a fixed 32mm focal length. It is here because of its ultra compact dimensions. Actually, when mounted, the lens does not extended at all - Making the most compact DSLR available. Since its introduction, Pentax added more lenses of this style and other manufactures are following this trend.

The Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM is available for Canon APS-C and full frame DSLR's. It is here due to its large aperture F1.2 that makes it the ideal night shots lens. In addition, the F1.2 enable the best focusing depth control.

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is available for Canon APS-C DSLR's, providing 28-135mm zoom range. Is is here because of its compact dimensions which makes it the first choice for standard zoom lens (The kit lens supplied with the camera).

The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is the Canon version which is similar to Nikon's 16-85mm lens.

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM is available for Canon APS-C and full frame DSLR's. It is the Canon alternative to Nikon's 80-400mm, a relatively compact high telephoto zoom lens.

The Canon EF 28 - 300 mm F3.5 - F5.6 L IS USM is available for Canon full frame DSLR's. It is probably the best super zoom lens available today.

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM is available for Canon full frame DSLR's. It is considered to be the best lens in this zoom range. It is a good match to the latest Canon full frames with more then 20Mp.

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Finished, but not complete...

Pictures - Links To Albums and Video Clips

http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamiralbum
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir58

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir59

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir60

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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir61

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http://www.youtube.com/gilshamir

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In the picture - Sarit (Thanks for posing)

Cars - Mercedes Benz CLS Styling

The MB CLS started a new styling trend when first appeared. Its “sweeping arc” roofline sets its apart from other 4 door saloon cars. Other car manufactures are following its success with models of their own (VW Passat CC).
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When first looking at the car, it seems the styling is familiar from somewhere. It is using a bended shape, starting from the front, continue with a curved roofline and ends with dropped back. This style looks similar to past Jaguars and Rolls-Royce.
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This similarity, or style motivation, does not ends here... there is another car that the MB CLS sharing its style with: The Thunderbirds FAB1 (British mid-1960s television show where puppets played the characters). Look for yourself.

Pictures - Jerusalem Tour Album

Pictures from the recent one day Jerusalem tour (West and East city). All pictures were taken by compact cameras: Panasonic super zoom FZ28 and Panasonic travel zoom TZ5. It seems compact cameras can take great images...
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Links:
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir60/JerusalemTourTZ5112009
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http://picasaweb.google.com/gilshamir60/JerusalemTourFZ28112009

Camera - Camera Of Cameras

This blog is not intended to be a news blog - There are many other sites that are doing a great news job. I am making exception here to share my enthusiasm of a new consumer camera concept: "Camera of cameras". To explain, a DSLR may consider a "Camera of lenses", where you switch lenses to handle various subjects and situation. The new Ricoh GXR is doing more - You can exchange the whole optical block: The sensor and the lens. The pictures above are of this camera but with different blocks. On releasing, Ricoh is providing two blocks. 50mm (equivalent) F2.5 macro prime and a 12MP CMOS APS-C sensor and the other a 24-70mm (equiv) F2.5-4.4mm with a small (1.175") 10MP CCD.

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There may be many advantages of this concept: Optimal design of the sensor and the optical block, sensor dirt buildup elimination - during lens exchange and convenience of tailoring the camera dimensions to a specific usage profile. Potential minus may be the lens block price (Compared to interchangeable lenses).

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This camera is positioned against the latest Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic and Olympus. I am waiting to see its image quality and if consumers will welcome this concept more then last attempt of modular camera made by Minolta.

Cameras - DSLR Lenses Kit Selection

Buying a new DSLR (Or already having one) is only half job. Selecting lens (lenses) may be a more complicated task. To keep this item simple, I am referring to most of us - non professionals, photographing as our hobby. This means that we are living on limited budget, so, convenience and lens quality are tradeoffs. In any case, lenses today are delivering acceptable optical performance, even with budget lenses.

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Many consumer and semi pro cameras are available today with a kit lens (Pro cameras are beyond the scope here). For consumer grade cameras, it is usually 3X zoom lens (about 28-80mm in full frame standard). I will not refer to this lens since it is already there. Semi pro cameras may have better kit lenses, few of them will be part of the suggested lens kit.

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The first lens we have to decide will be our prime lens. I assume that hobby photographers are mostly using their cameras as a documentation tools - Taking pictures of their family and places they are travel. We need a single lens to do both (We do not want to carry more then one lens, nor switching them). This lens should be able to provide wide view (For indoor and scenic views) and for portraits, should be able to get close to subjects. To make the story short we need 28-200 or 24-120 (18-135 or 16-80 for APS-C sensors). The 28-200 is better for reaching subjects where the 24-120 is better for scenic views - you should decide which of them is your preference. Also, 24-120 lenses may be slightly more expensive then the 28-200 option. If further price reduction is considered, 28-105 lens is an option (APS-C is 18-70). In any case, the lens should be stabilized (Lens based optical image stabilization) if the camera does not providing this option internally (Sensor based image stabilization).

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Now we have to consider other photographic situations and subject types we would like to handle. I will refer them in a random order. It is up to the photographer preference which one (if any) to invest first.

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Night scenes require a lens which can pass light, as much as possible, to the camera's sensor. Professional photographers are using expensive zoom lenses with low F number (The lens can pass more light then regular ones). Due to a limited budget (And the relatively rare use of such lens), I would suggest to use fixed focal length lens - 50mm F1.8 (35mm in APS-C). This lens is relatively cheap, getting inside the camera a good deal of light and its optical performance is good (Generally, fixed focal length lenses are better the zoom lenses - lower number of optical compromises in their design). The Cons here is the flexibility and the limited wide view. We will have to move ourselves to frame the subject and there is an absolute limitation of how close we can get and how large can be the framed subject. In any case, I suggest to start here and later put more money in a low F number zoom lens if night photography is your passion.

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Next is Close Up or Macro photography. For start, we do not have to invest anything if our prime zoom lens has a Macro capability. This means that the lens can magnify at its Telephoto end (Maximum zoom). Since the minimum distance to the subject is not so close (optical limitation) to total magnification is limited, but you will get the effect. Better is a dedicated Macro lens. They are fixed focal length lenses in the range of 50 to 100 mm. Such lenses get to a zero distance from the subject and get, at least, life size magnification.

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Nature (Birds) and sport photographers will need a higher focal length to get as close as possible to the subject (while still make it comfortable, in the case of birds). The best way (cheapest one) is getting a Telephoto zoom lens with moderate F number. Zoom lens as 75-300 (Translated to 120-450 in APS-C) with F5.6 at the tele end is the optimal choice. Cons are slightly lower sharpness at the image edges and their limited usage to a good daylight. The later is needed to keep the speed high enough to freeze motion.

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For hobby and semi pro photographers the following lens kit can be a good starting point:

1. Prime zoom of 28-200 or 24-120 (18-135 or 16-80 for APS-C). 28-300 (18-200) is also an option.

2. Fixed focal length 50 (35) F1.8 for night. If night scenic is the desired, 28mm (18mm) F2.8 lens is recommended (pricier and slightly less light "friendly").

3. Macro fixed focal length lens.

4. Telephoto zoom lens of 75-300.

Camera - Canon EOS 7D - Review Comments

The Canon EOS 7D is a new DSLR in the semi pro market segment intended to fight the highly popular (and capable) Nikon's D300s. It is not clear if it is intended to replace the EOS 50D, but certainly should be a gap filler between the Rebel T1i (EOS 500D) and the EOS 5D-mark 2. When released some eyes raised, asking about the logic of the model number. It is a single digit model (As the EOS 5D), but using a smaller APS-C sensor, rather then a full frame sensor - The real issue here. The EOS 7D is using the largest pixel count of any APS-C sensor today - 18Mp. This means that pixel size is smaller then any other DSLR and light sensitivity is lower. Canon claims higher efficiency of the sensor, so, the expected high ISO noise will be low.
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Potential customers waited to the first pro grade review to arrive. It is here from DPREVIEW.
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Looking at the review, makes you feel something is missing. DPREVIEW, as usual, is doing a great job, analyzing each camera in depth. The conclusions are what bothering. They are minimal and do not referring to the review details and the provided test images.
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The "PROS" is stating "Class-leading detail and resolution at base ISO". This statement is immediately raising some questions:
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1. When do we start to consider DSLR for their base ISO only. Many compact cameras, cheaper and smaller, are yielding good image quality at their base ISO (Usually 100). DSLR users are putting money to be able to use high ISO without (almost any) image quality considerations. There is no conclusion, PROS or CONS about the high ISO performance.
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2. Looking at the high ISO images (and magnified parts), clearly showing a lower performance compared with the Nikon's D300s. No related conclusion.
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Bottom line is simple. No magic here. Higher resolution with the same sensor size is reducing the high ISO image quality. Readers may have their own thoughts about this review.

Camera - Olympus E-P2

A few months after Olympus first Micro Four Thirds camera (E-P1) the new E-P2 is released. The new camera is much the same as the camera it replaces with slight modifications. The AF system which was criticized for its slow response was added a new continues mode and an electronic view finder (in addition to the optical one) is avaiable.

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The new camera hopefully will keep Olympus in the Micro Four Thirds camera business, along with Panasonic. It seems Olympus needs it badly to fight back the better implemented Panasonic's GF1. Panasonic GF1 is still a better alternative when considering the built in flash (No built in flash on the new Olympus as with its predeseccor) and the probably faster AF.

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The fast release of the E-P2 shows that something is not working in Olympus marketing and R&D departments. Olympus has already a long reputation of new concepts but bad implementation of them. In many cases, the new (badly implemented) concepts were adopted by its competitors that delivered the "correct" products. I will put here a few examples.

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Olympus pioneered the "bridge" camera concept back in the film days. A relatively long zoom was attached to a compact (Non SLR) camera that form a binocular shape. Others followed, but Olympus was not recognized with this concept. Later, due to their success in the compact cameras, the pro SLR business was abounded. Their dedicated users switch to others. It took Olympus a great effort trying to get back to this segment. Unsuccessful yet.

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When trying to enter the digital SLR market, Olympus made, again, a few mistakes. They used (and still using) Kodak's Four Thirds sensor which is slightly smaller then the industry standard APS-C size (Used by all the other DSLR manufactures). This smaller size was planned to use a smaller optics but actually the size difference is marginal and the cost of this decision is meaningful - All Olympus DSLR's are suffering from higher noise figures compared with their competitor's cameras. In addition, the first Olympus DSLR's designed with a futuristic concept - The prism was special, horizontal laid, so, the camera was of a lower profile. It looks more like a compact camera. Very good idea, but, the customers wanted a DSLR that is looking more like their film SLR's. Olympus corrected this later and today their camera has the "regular" shape. The price was huge, the customers were going with Canon and Nikon. I may say that the Micro Four Thirds is the last chance of this (Four Thirds) format and Olympus DSLR camera business. This is why the E-P1 and now the E-P2 is so important to Olympus.

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With "partners" as Panasonic, sharing (or fighting) on this segment (Panasonic's GF1) Olympus should do much more and as fast as possible. Olympus should actually have today the E-P3. This camera should have the internal flash Panaonic's GF1 has and an AF system that has the same performance as Panasonic. It will be a good idea to have HD video of the highest spec: 1080p and AVCHD compression. It seems that in the lens department Olympus already have (or declaring of plans to have) the basic most important lenses: Pancake compact fixed focal length, collapsible standard zoom and the new super zoom (14-150).

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Olympus (and Panasonic) have now the formula to potentially successful new products and new market segments. Let's hope that Olympus will do the right decisions now.

Camera - Panasonic TZ5

User review highlights:

[+] Compact, especially considering the 10x zoom range.
[+] Optimal zoom range, starting at wide angle (28mm) and provides a good telephoto (280mm).
[+] Intelligent Auto scene classification, works very well and adjust the camera setting properly.
[+] Very good build quality.
[+] High resolution LCD screen (Twice of the normal resolution) and visible at day light.
[+] Fast AF at the wide end.
[+] Tele macro mode provides background, out of focus blur, automatically.
[+] Lens does not extends much at the telephoto end.
[+] Face detection works very well and fast.
[+] Very good HD video quality.
[+] Good scene selection can handle almost any situation.
[+] Good battery life (300-400) pics.
[+] Flash is good enough for day light fill up to 1.5-2 m.
[+] Zoom and optical image stabilizer is working in video mode.

[-] Minimum focusing distance of focal lengths less then the maximum 280mm may be too long for small subjects. It is advised to use the wide end macro closeup option or the full 280mm tele macro.
[-] Motion JPEG video requires large capacity and fast card. Sandisk 8Gb Exterme 3 is suggested. It will provide about 30 minutes of video.
[-] HD video is 720p. Consumer HD camcorders are recoding at 1080.
[-] Bright subjects in the front of a dark background are overexposed. A -1EV compensation is suggested.

Watch - Suunto X9i

User review highlights:

[+] Informative display, mode oriented with customization options.
[+] Menu driven user interface contributes to easy navigation of options and settings.
[+] Casing and the controls are built to survive field environment.
[+] Night illumination lasts until the user complete the session.
[+] Good strap design, easy to wear and integrates well with the watch.

[-] GPS performance is best in open locations.
[-] Initial GPS fix may take time (Up to few minutes depending on the location).
[-] The higher rate GPS fixing (1 Sec) consumes batteries and shorten the tracking time to a few hours at most. This may be even worse in cases where the watch needs time to lock on sattelites (Urban environment)
[-] Night usage may be problematic - Illumination exists but not as up to Casio's Pathfinder/Protrek standard.
[-] Alarms are very weak.
[-] Buttons should be pushed hard to activate (Due to the hard cover).
[-] Needs to be recharged after daily GPS usage.

Camera - Panasonic G1

User review highlights:

[+] Sharp, edge to edge image.

[+] Fast AF.

[+] Small and compact by DSLR standards.

[+] Live view is well implemented - working from the back swivel screen and the viewfinder.

[+] Compact lenses.
[+] Manual AF is aided by automatic magnifier (Active during the manual adjustment and returns to normal image once the manual focus ring is dismissed).
[+] Very good build quality.
[+] Very good image stabilizer: 14-45 lens can be used, handheld, up to 1/8 sec.
[+] Intelligent Auto mode detects flawlessly the scene type and adjusts camera's setting automatically.

[-] Acceptable images up to ISO 800.
[-] Tele-macro with 45-200 lens may hunt if the subject distance is close to the minimum distance specified for the lens or the object is moving fast (Flower in the wind). Switching to Macro mode ensures fast AF performance.
[-] 14-140 lens, more flexible lens then the 2 kit lenses, is pricier and is sold only with the GH1.
[-] Wider zoom lens option is limited to the pricey 7-14.
[-] Camera tends to over expose bright subject that positioned in the front of darker areas (When the bright subject is up to 30% of the image). Exposure compensation of -1 EV is suggested.
[-] Viewfinder may be grainy and slower on the dark scene.
[-] Reflections may occur when shooting very bright objects.