Sony Cybershot RX10- A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing

Sony Cybershot RX10- A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing
October 2013, Carl Garrard
Sony's Cybershot division hard at work, again. This time making an impressively spec'd fixed lens digicam with an optimized 24-200mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss T* lens in front of a 1" sized sensor. The price? $1,299.00 SRP.  While that price is steep from any angle, you need to consider what you are getting for that price. First of all, there's no DSLR lens available with a 24-200mm equivalent focal range and constant f/2.8 aperture anywhere on the planet. Also, this is a Carl Zeiss lens with T* coating optimized in front of one of the best mid sized sensors I've ever tested. Add too a manual aperture ring w/detent switch for purists. That is the star of the show here. Also the camera body itself is also pretty impressive in build with a magnesium and high tech composite frame. There's a top mounted LCD, a slew of external controls, a big tiltable LCD, and very nice big EVF at 1.4 million dots with .7X 35mm equivalent view (basically the same view size you see in expensive full frame digital SLRs). Still a lot of money for you? Don't read on. Sound like a good deal? Have a peek further... (specs first, commentary below them).
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1- Review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Review
October 2013, Carl Garrard
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Review
The GX1 made waves not too long ago and after a bit of time with one I can see why. This little GX1 is really growing on me. It's not the most comfortable camera to use one handed, but I'm learning to live with it and get around its shortcomings in handling. What I like about this camera is that it's small and completely pocketable with a 17mm pancake on it.  I can use every ISO setting in raw confidently, and it has accurate and blazing fast auto focus. It's controls are adequate, and so is its menu system. Neither blow me away but it doesn't get in my way when shooting stills either. If you want a more detailed review, read on.


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Pentax K-50 Review (Part 1)

Pentax K-50 Review
October 2013, Carl Garrard

Pentax K-50 Review: You'd think that enthusiasts would be uncontrollably jumping for joy because of the kind of DSLRS we get today for the prices they are set at. But alas, I still see comment after comment about pricing and lack of features and all sorts of other nonsense. Pentax seem to be throwing the gauntlet at those customers with the K50. It's both reasonably priced and spec'd to the hilt, and even comes with a class leading weather resistant kit lens to boot. There's simply no arguing that the K50 is a lot of camera for the price, by anyone. And when you dig deeper than looking over spec sheets and price, you'll find that there's even more to like about this camera. Interested? Read on.


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New Pentax K3 DSLR Announced

New Pentax K3 DSLR Announced
October 2013, Carl Garrard

Pentax has announced its highest level DSLR to date, the new Pentax K3 DSLR. It sits above the similar styled Pentax K5 II/S models and features the most advanced auto focus system and highest resolution sensor from any Pentax camera before it. Pentax has long been a favorite of mine in that they make cameras that provide nearly every item an enthusiast wish list could want, and every year they keep adding to that list. The K3 adds quite a few substantial upgrades over the K5 including more resolution (24mp vs 16), higher frame rate (8.3fps vs 7fps), larger viewfinder view (.95X vs .92X), larger LCD screen (3.2 " vs 3"), and much more enhanced video options for those who do that stuff.




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