Cameras: November 2008 Archives
In September, Jim Jannard, CEO of Red Cinema, bragged his company would have a product by the end of this year that would have digital SLR makers shaking in their running shoes. Today, while not quite making good on that boast, Red did reveal some specifics about its DSMC--Digital Still and Motion Camera.
At the center of the DSMC system is a "brain" that can be configured in numerous ways depending on a user's needs. Eight brains are being offered by Red. They range in price from $2500 to $55,000 and in sensor size from 10.1 x 5.35mm (about the size of a 2/3 sensor in a digital still camera) to 186 x 56mm. Four of the units have mounts compatible with Canon and Nikon lenses; another accepts Mamiya medium format lenses.
Once you've got your brain, then the real fun begins. Everything needed to convert the brain into something that might be used to shoot pictures or movies is interchangeable and upgradable.
The whole approach by Red, while designed for maximum flexibility and to combat needless obsolescence, is reminiscent of the early days of personal computing when everything was "extra," including keyboards and mice.
The first DSMC systems could reach users' hands by next spring, but that could be an optimitsic prediction. "Specificatiolns and delivery dates are subject to drastic changes," Red warns at its Web site. "Count on it and you won't be disappointed."
If simulacrums of old Polaroid photos don't quite quell your nostalgic yearnings for instant photos, Japanese toy maker Tomy has an alternative for you. It's called the xiao (pronounced "sha-oh") TIP-521 digital camera (catchy name, eh?), and it combines Zink inkless printing technology with a 5MP DSC to create the 21st century version of an instant snapper. Initially released only in Japan, the camera isn't expected to make it to North America until next April. That means predictions such a digcam would make it under Christmas trees stateside this year appear to have been overly optimistic.
Olympus is expected to announce tomorrow a new digital SLR to bridge the gap in its E Series cameras between its entry level E-520 ($488-643) and its pro model E-3 ($1428-$1699). Initial reports of the new E-30 were posted by cnet this morning, but mysteriously pulled during the day. According to a source at Olympus, the cnet postings resulted from a misunderstanding about an embargo regarding the timing of the announcement, which is midnight tonight.
According to information posted at Electronista, the E-30 will have a 4/3 sensor with 12.3 megapixels and the 11-point autofocusing system found in the E-3.
Light sensitivity for the unit will range from ISO 100-3200.
An electronic level in the snapper will aid lensslingers in keepiing their landscape shots horizontal and image stabilization will be built into the sensor.
Continuous shooting with the unit is a fast five frames a second for up to 12 RAW images or until a memory card is filled with JPEG images.
Live View, for framing and capturing images directly through the camera's swiveling LCD, is also part of the package.
The E-30 is expected to go on sale in January at a body-only price of $1299.
