Sony has announced speedier memory cards that support the new XQD specification. The recently approved and licensed format from CompactFlash Association, XQD cards are touted for its speed and performance that can capture up to 100 frames in RAW format in continuous shooting mode.

The new XQD card from Sony is compatible with Nikon’s D4 DSLR that promises to give a write and read speed of up to 1Gbps and 125MB/s respectively.

Sony XQD card will be available in 16GB and 32GB capacities at a price of $129.99 and $229.99.

Sony has expanded its NEX line with the new NEX-C3 camera. Sony claims it as the world’s smallest and lightest digital camera with interchangeable lens that weighs just 225g. NEX Series is known for its ease of use with variety of features and gives DSLR-like quality with the help of APS HD CMOS sensor that is capable to take pictures at up to 16.2 megapixels or record video up to 720p.

The camera also features a tilt-able 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD; new Photo Creativity Interface to make it easier with ‘technical jargons’ for novice users; a real-time Picture Effect to shoot an image or video with effects like Partial Colour; Retro Photo; Pop Colour; High Contrast Monochrome; Posterisation; High-key and Toy Camera; 3D Sweep Panorama; HDMI mini connector and more.

Just like the previous NEX cameras, the NEX-C3 is also compatible with A-mount lenses with the help of adapter.

For professional photographers, Sony also announced the A35 from the Alpha series with Translucent Mirror technology that allows high-speed shooting as well as continuous autofocus in image and video mode.

The A35 is equipped with a 16.2MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, which means better looking pictures even in low-light scenarios. One feature that is newly introduced is Tele-zoom high speed shooting that magnifies a central portion of an image by 1.4x while shooting at 7fps.

Additionally, the camera comes with 1080i HD video recording support in AVHCD format, electronic viewfinder, 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD, 1200-zon evaluative measuring, Sweep Panorama 2D and 3D, auto HDR and more.

Nikon has announced a new mid-range DSLR that brings in impressive editing features with good picture and video quality. On the still photography side, the 16.2 megapixel D5100 is equipped with DX-format CMOS sensor, EXPEED 2 image processing engine that helps to take perfect pictures, an 11-point AF system that tracks fast moving objects, full manual control, Scene Recognition System and more.

Moving onto its video prowess, the D5100 is capable of capturing 1080p full HD or 720p HD videos with full time autofocus and manual exposure control at 24 or 30fps. One restriction here is that user can record a single clip for up to 20 minutes only.

To top the feature front, the camera has a 3-inch 921,000-dot Vari-angle LCD screen that can rotated up to 180 degrees; ISO sensitivity going up to 6400 or expandable up to 25,600 ISO; and for the first time, D5100 comes with built-in effects to add that special touch to the image without needing to edit on a PC.

D5100 will be available in United States from mid-April for a price of $800 or $900 with AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.

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Sony has announced two new DSLRs from the Alpha series for the Indian market. The A55 and A33 does away with the movable mirror tech found in conventional DSLRs but adopts Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology that allows the camera to auto focus continuously during live view, movie recording or high-speed continuous shooting.

Both the cameras boast Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor that makes clicking pictures in low-light scenarios pretty easy, BIONZ image processor, ISO sensitivity support from 100-12,800, AUTO+ mode to automatically adjust best settings for the user, 3D Sweep Panorama, Geotagging with built-in GPS and full HD video recording support. A55 can take pictures at a resolution of up to 16.2 megapixels and A33 can take pictures to up to 14.2 megapixels.

The cameras are bundled with a Sony carry case and 4GB memory card and are priced at Rs.47,990 (A55) and Rs.37,990 (A33).

SanDisk, Nikon and Sony have come together to develop a set of specifications for next-generation storage cards that will fulfill video and photographers’ needs. The new standard will allow memory cards to store huge amount of data and also process larger files quickly, which is a must for today’s high-end cameras and camcorders.

The proposed specs, which if standardized by the CompactFlash Association (CFA), will help memory cards to achieve data transfer rates to up to 500MB/s using the PCI Express interface. The new specification will also theoretically expand the card storage to up to 2TB and allow continuous shooting of massive RAW images while consuming very low power.

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Flaunting your latest DSLR could land you in trouble if you happen to live or visit Kuwait soon. Kuwait’s Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance have banned the use of DSLR cameras in public unless you’re a member of the press.

The apparent reason is due to citizen’s invasion of privacy but this seems pointless because the ban does not affect smaller digital cameras or cameras found in mobile phones that are bigger menace than these clunky cameras.

[Kuwatittimes via NextWeb]

Nikon has unveiled a new DSLR aimed at photographers demanding performance, reliability and great amount of control over the camera. The D7000 is the latest offering from Nikon featuring a 16.2 megapixel DX-format (or APS-C) CMOS sensor with low-light shooting ability. The camera has the new EXSPEED 2 image processing system, 39-point AF system, 2016 pixel RGB 3D Matrix Metering System, ISO range of 100-6400 or 25,600 on a Hi-2 setting.

D7000 boasts the same video capturing feature of D90 and is able to record 1080p HD videos at 24fps or 720p at 24 or 30fps. Recorded videos can be viewed on HDMI-CEC compliant TVs.

The D7000 will be available in mid-October in the United States for $1199.95 or for $1499.95 with lens kit.

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Canon has outed a new DSLR to take place of its successful 50D camera. The EOS 60D is aimed at “advanced amateurs” and brings in a lot of new features that were till now unknown to the EOS range.

Amongst the firsts includes a 3-inch Vari-angle LCD screen, multi-control dial and new in-camera enhancements. The EOS 60D now features a 3-inch Vari-angle display that allows users to adjust and take pictures virtually from any angle. Additionally, the screen is also resistant to smudges and has an anti-reflective surface.

The Multi-control dial places a multi-controller and set button into the Quick Control Dial. This layout ensures a cleaner camera design and makes camera navigation easy for vertical or horizontal shooting.

The final first is the in-camera processing of RAW image files, image resizing, creative image filters that creates an edited copy of the original image.

As for the remaining features the EOS 60D features an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, 9-point autofocus system, iFCL metering system, ISO range from 100 to 12,800, Live View, full HD video recording at selectable frame rates and SDHC/SDXC card support.

The Canon EOS 60D will reach consumers by end of September for $1099 or $1399 with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens.

In addition to A580 and A560 DSLRs launched yesterday, Sony also made A55 and A33 official. These two new models are the first from Sony to feature Translucent Mirror Technology that helps to give DSLR quality pictures in a compact size.

With the integration of a translucent mirror, A55 and A33 can shoot high-speed photos to up to 10fps and 7fps respectively, making them the world’s fastest in terms of continuous AF shooting performance with an APS-C sensor.

Other camera features include compatibility with A mount interchangeable lenses, SteadyShot support, a 270-degree swiveling 3-inch LCD, 3S Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR, full HD video recording, memory expansion via MS PRO Duo or SD cards and geotagging with integrated GPS (A55 only).

Both models will begin selling in Europe from September.

Press Release