Cameras That End the Low-Light Nightmare

[steven johnson]

Here's an apparent new generation of low light digital cameras: Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR and the Sony DSC-WX1 ($320 and $350, respectively, before discounting).

Sony WX1 looks like it's better than the Fuji but a new Fuji, the F70EXR, comes out next month.

In most cases, the Sony did even better than the Fuji. Some of its shots - like those taken with only a single candle as illumination - were nothing short of miraculous.
The Sony performs two other stunts that will make your jaw drop. From its much larger, zoomier cousin, the HX1, the WX1 inherits Sweep Panorama mode. As you whip the camera in an arc around your body, it quietly snaps 10 consecutive photos, figures out how to connect them, and spits out a finished 270-degree panorama. Talk about wide-angle!
There are some limits to this magic: the resulting photo is "only" seven megapixels for the whole image (the camera ordinarily shoots 10-megapixel images); the exposure is fixed at the far left end of the sweep; and people or things that move during your sweep may appear twice, squished or chopped off. But still, how great to show the majesty of the Grand Canyon or some other vista with a single press of the shutter button.
The Sony's other great trick is capturing 10 images in a one-second burst, a capture speed that puts most other pocket cams to shame. Unfortunately, the camera locks up for 18 seconds afterward, as it processes all those shots.


Cameras That End the Low-Light Nightmare

[BrightKnight]

1. The new Sony Exmor R CMOS Sensor is going to rock the digital photography world.

"Next Sony DSLR: with the new Exmor R CMOS Sensor?"

http://photorumors.com/2009/07/21/next-sony-dslr-with-the-new-exmor-r-cmos-sensor

It is coming out soon and a new generation of Nikons is sure to follow. It will be interesting to see how Canon responds.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. and they are co-developing (pardon pun)

with nikon, I think, yes?

[BrightKnight]

6. Nikon uses Sony sensors and

when Sony releases new sensors Nikon always releases new cameras to take advantage of them. I do not think that they actually co-develop the sensors.

[NashVegas]

2. I Think the Reviewer's On Crack

This is game-changing, when you can buy a great, albeit used, point-and-night-shooter, like an F-30, for under $300?





vs

[alfredo]

3. Canon is fighting back with the S90. It is also going minimalist like the

Lumix LX 3 and Leica D-LUX 4

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081907canons90.asp

The ring around the lens can be programmed. Neato! It can also be used for the zoom.



Leica D-Lux 4 for comparison

[BrightKnight]

5. In the DSLR market Canon gets a lot of criticism for poor human

interface design. Nikon has always had the edge for usability. I am not sure that extends to the point and shoot cameras.

Taking a close look Leica in is a very good idea. They are going to have to make some changes.

The biggest knock against Nikon has been noise below 300 ISO. The new sensors will give Sony and Nikon a clearly superior sensors.

[alfredo]

7. The point and shoot seem easy, but I am used to how they

do what they do. That ring at the lens on the S9 is such a good idea. If I had known the S9 was coming out, I might have waited before purchasing the G10.

The Leica/Lumix cameras look very simple, and rate well. They are unobtrusive.


To tell the truth, I am lusting after the Olympus E-P1.