Page 15 - Ben Noori

The last of Sony's PMA announcements comes in the form of the Cyber-shot DSC-G1. Visually, the DSCG1 has classic Sony styling. The lens is hidden behind a body-slide mechanism (not sure how else to describe it!), which is slightly off-centre, rather than Sony's recent right-hand positioning.

Basic specifications aren't awe-inspiring: this is a 6-megapixel, 3x optical zoom camera with wireless connectivity (a first for Sony). However, this camera sets itself apart by offering a 3.5-inch (8.8cm) LCD screen (the biggest we're aware of in a compact) and 2GB internal memory (unheard of). There is also a headphone socket to take advantage of music playback features.

ETA to Australia : We'd expect to see this camera around May
Price : Upwards of $700 (estimated)

Key Features:
- 10 megapixel effective (10.9MP sensor)
- SuperSonic Wave Filter dust protection
- 100-800 ISO range (auto); 100-1600 ISO range (manual)
- 3 frames per second sequential shooting
- 2.5-inch (6.4cm) HyperCrystal LCD (230,000 pixels)
- xD-Picture card and CompactFlash media
- Li-ion rechargeable battery (BLS-1)
- 500 shot battery life (using viewfinder only; 50% flash use)
- Weight 375g

PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT: Olympus E-510 digital SLR

Key Features:
- 10 megapixel effective (10.9MP sensor)
- SuperSonic Wave Filter dust protection
- 100-800 ISO range (auto); 100-1600 ISO range (manual)
- 3 frames per second sequential shooting
- 2.5-inch (6.4cm) HyperCrystal LCD (230,000 pixels)
- xD-Picture card and CompactFlash media
- Li-ion rechargeable battery (BLM-1)
- 650 shot battery life (using viewfinder only; 50% flash use)
- Weight 460g

Following on from our recent announcement of the Cyber-shot DSCT100, Sony have announced the latest in their Cyber-shot digital camera range. Details below...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 (DSCH9)
- 8.1 megapixel resolution
- 15x stabilised optical zoom (31-465mm equiv.)
- 3-inch adjustable high-resolution LCD
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery (NP-BG1)
- Sony Memory Stick / Pro DUO compatible (31MB internal memory)
- Nightshot feature for zero light photography
Price : TBA
Aussie availability : End March '07

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7 (DSCH7)
- 8.1 megapixel resolution
- 15x stabilised optical zoom (31-465mm equiv.)
- 2.5-inch adjustable high-resolution LCD
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery (NP-BG1)
- Sony Memory Stick / Pro DUO compatible (31MB internal memory)
Price : TBA
Aussie availability : End March '07

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20 (DSCT20)
- 8 megapixel resolution
- 3x optical zoom (35-175mm equiv.)
- 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery (NP-BG1)
- Sony Memory Stick / Pro DUO

Pentax Corporation in the US have announced the first two in the new DA* range of lenses originally mentioned in September '06 and designed for use exclusively with Pentax digital SLR cameras. The two lenses, both of which use the Pentax KAF2 mount, are the smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM wide angle zoom and the smc  PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM telephoto zoom.

These models will be available in the US in 'Spring 2007' priced at $899.95 and $999.95 respectively. They are expected to hit Australian shores (via authorised routes, anyway) by June of this year. Pricing TBA.

Read the original article at Pentax

Recent price changes on our most popular digital cameras:

Digital SLR
Canon EOS 400D Enthusiast Kit (includes 17-85mm IS lens) - $1969
Nikon D40 Twin Lens Kit (includes 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses) -  $1199
Nikon D80 Kit (includes 18-135mm lens) - $1879
Pentax K10D Body Only - $1249 (February special)

Compact digital cameras
Canon PowerShot A430 (w/ free 256MB SD card*) - $149
Canon PowerShot A530 (w/ free 256MB SD card*) - $199
Olympus mju 725 (blue or silver) - $495

* Whilst stocks last