Ricoh PX Brief

Preview based on a pre-production PX running firmware 1.2

Ricoh's history of making waterproof cameras dates back to before it was a mainstream product segment. When only a couple of models were available, Ricoh regularly offered industrial-grade waterproofing and shock-proofing, with its products being certified to various military and national standards.

Now, of course, few manufacturers would feel its lineup were complete if it didn't include a moderately drop-proof, lightly submersible camera, so it's interesting to see Ricoh's response to this. The PX's specifications put it squarely in this everyday, do-everything compact category - with its waterproofing down to 3m (10ft) and impact resistance for drops up to 1.5m. Its 5x zoom lens, offering 28-140mm equivalent focal lengths, is also pretty standard for the class, as is its 2.7" 230,000 dot display.

What's not so familiar, in this class, is its understated appearance. While this particular example might be lime green, it doesn't shout about its resilient credentials. Instead it's an innocuous-looking, aluminium clad compact camera. The only real giveaway is that its lens doesn't extend when it's switched on. Instead it has a periscope-style lens with an image-stabilized sensor sitting at one end of it. The result is a camera that doesn't suddenly look out-of-place when you return from your adventurous holiday.

Specification highlights:

• Image stabilized 16MP 1/2.3" CCD
• 28-140mm equivalent internal zoom lens
• Waterproof to 3m, Shockproof to 1.5m
• 720p HD video
• ISO 100-3200
• Subject-tracking AF

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/ricohpx/

Canon Rebel T3 / EOS 1100D

Review based on a production Canon EOS 1100D with Firmware V1.0.4

The bottom-end of the interchangeable lens camera has become fiercely competitive with manufacturers culling features and cutting-corners to offer a tempting upgrade path from compact cameras, at the most attractive price. As a result we've seen control dials, orientation sensors and even focus motors disappear to reduce the manufacturing costs of these entry-level, gateway cameras. From the consumer's perspective, of course, we've also seen technologies once only in the reach of the professionals filter down to almost compact camera prices.

For several years, Canon and then Nikon were able to carve up the sub-$1000 DSLR market between themselves, without any particular concern about other players in the market. But this hegemony was never likely to last, especially once the electronics giants such as Panasonic, Sony and Samsung had time to prepare their own competitors. Eventually even Canon had to respond to the arrival of these companies' increasingly impressive low-end offerings, most notably with the splitting of its Rebel series into a multiple model range.

In June 2008, rather than just letting the outgoing model's price drop when the next camera was introduced, Canon launched a completely new model that sat below its then very recent Rebel XSi/450D. The Rebel XS (EOS 1000D in Europe) was unashamedly a cut-down version of the XSi but its mixture of a well trusted sensor and compelling price tag have seen it continue to sell strongly, particularly at the price-conscious end of the market.

Two-and-a-half years is nearly two lifetimes in contemporary camera terms, so it was beginning to look like the XS might turn out to be a one-off, until the launch of its replacement in February 2011. The Rebel T3 (EOS 1100D) builds on a successful formula and takes it further, offering a strong (if not exactly cutting-edge) set of features in a body that suggests it should be very capable of competing on price.

The 1100D takes a series of familiar-sounding components and folds them together in a distinctly conventional but still capable-sounding package. So there's a 12MP CMOS chip that is likely to date back to the 450D/XSi, coupled with Canon's now-standard 9-point AF system and the 63-area iFCL (Focus, color and luminance sensitive) metering system first seen in the EOS 7D. These combine with the equally well-known Digic 4 processor to offer a camera that's unlikely to offer much in the way of surprises (which should also mean the avoidance of any nasty ones).

Canon EOS 1100D specification highlights:

• 12MP CMOS sensor
• 9-point AF system (up from 7 on the 1000D)
• 63-area iFCL color-sensitive metering (from EOS 7D)
• 720p movie recording at 30 or 25fps (H.264 compression)
• 2.7" LCD, 230,000 dots
• ISO 100-6400 (no expansion)
• Basic+ creative point-and-shoot mode
• Eye-Fi wireless SD card compatible menu options

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonEOS1100D/

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM

elephoto prime lens • Canon EF

Manufacturer description: The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM is a high-magnification, super-telephoto lens featuring integrated Image Stabilizer technology. It features a lightweight magnesium alloy and titanium construction, which reduces weight without compromising on strength and build quality.

Announced: Feb 7, 2011

Specifications

Principal specifications
Lens Type	Prime lens
Max Format Size	35mm FF
Focal length	500 mm
Image stabilisation	Yes (4 stops claimed)
Lens mount	Canon EF
Aperture
Maximum aperture	F4.0
Minimum aperture	F32.0
Aperture ring	No
Number of diaphragm blades	9
Optics
Elements	16
Groups	12
Special elements / coatings	2 fluorite elements
Focus
Minimum focus	3.70 m (145.67")
Maximum magnification	0.15 x
Autofocus	Yes
Motor type	Ring-type ultrasonic
Full time manual	Yes
Focus method	Internal
Distance scale	Yes
DoF scale	No
Physical
Weight	3190 g (7.03 lb)
Diameter	146 mm (5.75")
Length	383 mm (15.08")
Materials	Magnesium alloy barrel, metal mount
Sealing	Yes
Colour	Grey and Black
Filter thread	52 mm
Filter notes	rear drop-in
Hood supplied	Yes
Hood product code	ET-138
Tripod collar	Yes
Optional accessories	Lens Case 500

http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_500_4p0_is_ii

Canon EOS 60D

Canon's X0D series has throughout its life appealed to a wide range of photographers, from enthusiasts and semi-pros through to some pros who appreciated having a lightweight option. Each model offered a high enough specification (usually in terms of build quality and AF sophistication) to ensure it was both aspirational and attainable for users who had out-grown their Rebel/XX0D series. However, the feature set always left a sizeable gap below the company's full-blown 'pro' models.

The arrival of the EOS 7D, with its highly configurable 19-point AF system and 8 frames per second continuous shooting capability changed much of this - here was a 'mini 1D' that drew the attention of many people who previously would have been X0D customers. However, the price tag (a 30% premium over the 50D at launch) pushed it beyond the reach of most people who weren't making at least a bit of money from their photography.

The 50D (and by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant: expensive (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered compared to the EOS 7D. It seemed obvious that Canon needed something to balance out the EOS range to fill the big gap between the Rebel and the 7D. And so we have this, the EOS 60D.

With the 60D Canon has unashamedly moved the X0D range out of the 'semi pro' bracket and instead focused on the enthusiast photographer looking to upgrade from their Rebel. As a result, it's not the obvious continuation of the 30D - 40D - 50D pattern that its naming might suggest. Instead it sits pretty well precisely in the same market position as was once-upon-a-time occupied by the 'Elan' series of 35mm film SLRs (which in Europe were not-so-coincidentally given double-digit model numbers).

So gone is the magnesium alloy construction that featured in previous models, replaced by a lighter weight plastic shell. Naturally the 60D gains some key 'step up' features from the Rebel line (top panel LCD, rear control dial, higher burst rate), including a few that have trickled down from the EOS 7D. There's also a video- (and tripod-) friendly 3:2 ratio articulated LCD. In imaging terms it brings the EOS mid-range in line with those above and below by upping the sensor resolution to around 18MP and adding full HD movie capture.

The EOS 60D also gains a couple of brand-new features of its own. There's now a wide range of color variations (or 'Ambiences') which can be applied to the image when using the scene modes, and whose effect can be previewed on screen in Live View. The 60D also finally gains the ability to convert raw files to jpeg in-camera, including the option to correct for lens aberrations including distortion and chromatic aberration. As an added bonus, you can retrospectively apply new 'Creative Filters' to files you've shot, including 'Grainy Black and White' and 'Toy Camera' looks.

And so, from a spec and feature point of view, the EOS 60D sits almost exactly half-way between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D, with a few new tricks of its own. Which, we think, is exactly where it should be (regardless of the inevitable howls of protest at the apparent 'dumbing down' of the venerable X0D line).

Key features

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12,800)
• 5.3 fps continuous shooting
• 1080p HD video recording with manual controls
• SD / SDHC / SDXC storage
• In-camera raw development
• Subject modes with 'Ambience Selection' (Standard, Vivid, Soft, Warm, Intense, Cool, Brighter, Darker and Monochrome)
• In-camera Creative Filters (special effects)
• Fully articulated 3.0" screen (3:2)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos60D/