GAME NEWS:
This week, The Digital Focus takes a look at the upcoming cameras from Sony, the new Canon EOS, and porting video straight from a camcorder to an external harddrive.
Sony announced four new cameras this week, each of them upping the ante in terms of HD functionality. Of the four new models, each offer slight differences from one another that help users pick one that more defines the shooting experience they prefer. The slight differences make each of the models more distinct, with Sony creating yet more reasons to pick from their established lines of digital excellence.
Canon's upgrade from the EOS 50D has been given a price and a release date, which fans of the series looking to upgrade will certainly want to pay attention to. The device has many new specs, both for the amateur photographer or the experienced.
Rounding out the weekly news is a highlight on the new harddrive from I-O Data, the HDPN-U500/V, which comes enabled for USB sharing directly from devices like the Sony Handycam series. The portable device is ideal for those that love taking new shoots on the road with them, for friends or family visits, or those who want a fast edit for footage just filmed.
Canon EOS 60D
The stunning upgrade from the EOS 50D was announced this week by Canon, releasing with specs that are clearly designed to impress. The camera comes with a large, Vari-Angle 3-inch Clear View LCD screen, with anti-reflective and smudge resistant coating. The camera also features in-camera processing of RAW images, as well as several post processing image filters. The camera also boasts the impressive 18-Megapixel Resolution, with full HD recording as well. The camera should hit store shelves by the end of September, with an estimated retail price of $1,099.
Sonly Alpha A580 and A560
Sony dropped the specs for their two latest HD models, the Alpha A580 and the Alpha A560. The DSLR cameras come with Full HD video, with up to 7fps shooting and the ever-popular Auto HDR. The 580 lands with 16.2 megapixels, while the 560 sports 14.2 megapixels. Both feature a 15-point phase-detection autofocus system for "rapid, accurate AF tracking". Both feature a new APS HD CMOS Sensor processor, designed for beginners and experienced photographers. The 580 will drop in retailers during October 2010, with the 560 being slated for the first quarter of 2011.
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Sony A55 and the A33
Sony has released the specs for the first cameras to be powered by translucent mirror technology, which was designed to "enable simultaneous auto focus and capture in an interchangeable lens". The new cameras to use the Translucent Mirror Technology are the A55 and the A33, which use the tech to "achieve the highest level of auto focus speed for both still image and movie shooting". The cameras will film in Full HD, with AVCHD video. Both cameras will feature a 3-inch, 921,600 Xtra Fine LCD display, with the A33 available sometime in September for $650. The A55 will fall in October for $750. Users looking to pack on a 18-55mm zoom lens can tack on an extra $100 for each camera.
I-O Data's HDPN-U500/V
The latest harddrive from I-O Data is fantastic for constant camera users, as the portable harddrive comes equipped with USB for easy porting of videos straight from a variety of devices. The harddrive also comes with an HDMI out port, meaning users who love to share will be able to do so with ease. The device has been priced and dated for Japan, with anxious fans of all things portable eagerly awaiting its release information here in the U.S.
