http://www.cameralabs.com/ Camera Labs Digital Camera, DSLR and lens reviews / DSLR Tips workshops and advice en-us http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_550D_Rebel_T2i/verdict.shtml Today Canon announced its latest upper entry-level DSLR, the EOS 550D, or as it's known in North America, the Rebel T2i. The EOS 550D / T2i inherits a number of key features from the higher-end EOS 7D including the same 18 Megapixel resolution and choice of 720p or 1080p movie modes at a variety of frame rates. There's also manual control over movie exposures, an external microphone input and a brand new 3:2 shaped screen which is the perfect fit for images in playback or Live View. It's an impressive specification for the money and one that's especially desirable if you're into filming video. Find out more and see how it compares to key rivals in our Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i preview! Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_550D_Rebel_T2i/verdict.shtml http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=168668 It's the first of a new month which means it's time to vote for your favourite photo from last month's Camera Labs assignment. Don't forget to also enter a photo for this month's new Assignment, subject: Asia! Mon, 1 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=168668 http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Sony_Alpha_lenses/Recommended_Sony_Alpha_lenses.shtml Following our Canon and Nikkor lens guides, come our recommendations for Sony owners! Some lenses squeeze in large views, while others are designed to enlarge distant subjects or get really close to tiny ones. Some are perfect for portraits and others ideal for action. It's an exciting but confusing world for new DSLR owners, but in our Sony Alpha Lens Guide we'll explain what kind of lens you'll need to achieve a certain type of shot, before recommending the best ones available. So if you own an Alpha DSLR and are wondering what lens you should buy next, check out our Sony lens guide! Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Sony_Alpha_lenses/Recommended_Sony_Alpha_lenses.shtml http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ10_ZS7/verdict.shtml Today Panasonic announced the latest model in its enormously popular travel zoom series. The new Lumix TZ10 (or ZS7 as it's known in North America) is the successor to the best-selling Lumix TZ7 / ZS3 and inherits the 12x optical zoom and compact body of its predecessor, but enhances a number of the shooting modes along with squeezing-in a GPS receiver to pinpoint the locations of your shots and ensure the clock is always telling the right time. Find out all about the new model and how its features measure-up against key rivals in our Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 / ZS7 preview! Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ10_ZS7/verdict.shtml http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_COOLPIX_S570/ Nikon's COOLPIX S570 is an affordable 12 Megapixel compact with a 5x zoom and 2.7in screen. While the low price means an absence of HD video and manual controls, Nikon's sensibly spent its budget on what really counts: namely decent image quality and a useful zoom range which includes true wide-angle coverage. Indeed the S570 performs very respectably against models costing comfortably more, which is why you'll regularly find it high in the best-sellers lists. Find out if this is the ideal point-and-shoot camera for you in our Nikon COOLPIX S570 review where we've compared its quality and performance against key rivals. Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_COOLPIX_S570/ http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Nikon_Nikkor_lenses/Recommended_Nikkor_Nikon_lenses.shtml Hot on the heels of our Canon lens guide come our recommendations for Nikon owners! There's an enormous selection of lenses available, designed to achieve different effects. Some are ideal for sports and others perfect for portraits. Some squeeze in large views, while others enlarge distant subjects or get really close to tiny ones. But which to choose? That's where our new Nikkor lens guide comes in where we'll explain what model you need for a certain type of shot, before recommending the best ones available. So if you own a Nikon DSLR and are wondering what lens you should buy next, check out our Nikkor lens guide! Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Nikon_Nikkor_lenses/Recommended_Nikkor_Nikon_lenses.shtml http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Canon_EF_lenses/Recommended_Canon_lenses.shtml One of the beauties of a DSLR is switching lenses to achieve different effects. Some lenses squeeze in large views, while others are designed to enlarge distant subjects or get really close to tiny ones. Some are perfect for portraits and others ideal for action. Trouble is, if you're relatively new to DSLRs, the choice of lenses can be overwhelming. That's where our new lens guides come in, where we'll explain what model you need for a certain type of shot, before recommending the best ones available. We're starting with Canon lenses, but will cover other brands soon. So if you own a Canon DSLR and are wondering what lens you should buy next, check out our Canon lens guide! Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Canon_EF_lenses/Recommended_Canon_lenses.shtml http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD980_IS_IXUS_200_IS/ Canon's Digital IXUS 200 IS, also known as the PowerShot SD980 IS in North America, is the company's first compact to feature a touch-sensitive screen. This allows you to select options, control playback and even manually focus wherever you want by tapping or sliding your finger. The screen is also 16:9 in shape which perfectly fits the camera's 720p HD video mode. It's additionally Canon's first compact to boast extra-wide-angle 24mm equivalent coverage, which is great for capturing expansive landscapes, cramped interiors or big group shots. It's an impressive specification, but how well does it all work together in practice? Find out in our Canon IXUS 200 IS / PowerShot SD980 IS review! Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD980_IS_IXUS_200_IS/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD940_IS_IXUS_120_IS/ Our first review of the new decade is Canon's Digital IXUS 120 IS, or as it's known in North America, the PowerShot SD940 IS ELPH. It's Canon's slimmest compact to sport a wide-angle lens and this 4x (28-112mm equivalent) zoom is packed into a slim and stylish body measuring just 20mm thick. The IXUS 120 IS / SD940 IS also sports 720p HD video, a bright 2.7in screen, HDMI output and intelligent scene detection in Auto. It's marketed as a lifestyle accessory, but don't let the good-looks deceive you as this is a very capable compact. Question is, how does it measure-up against its closest rivals both from Nikon and within Canon's own range? Find out in our Canon IXUS 120 IS / PowerShot SD940 IS review! Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD940_IS_IXUS_120_IS/ http://www.cameralabs.com/interviews/Chase_Jarvis_interview_Queenstown_New_Zealand/ Chase Jarvis is one of the best-known and most respected photographers today, delivering commercial campaigns for clients including Apple, Nike, Volvo, Emirates and Red Bull. It was during his campaign for the Nikon D90 though that many of us were first introduced to his behind-the-scenes material. While Chase was on a shoot for SanDisk in Queenstown, New Zealand, I caught up with him to find out about the equipment he uses, his love of social networking and the demands of becoming and being a successful commercial photographer. Find out more in our Chase Jarvis interview! Mon, 4 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/interviews/Chase_Jarvis_interview_Queenstown_New_Zealand/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_DSLR_A550/ Sony's Alpha A550 is a mid-range DSLR aimed at those who want fast and easy operation without spending big bucks on a semi-pro model. It features 14.2 Megapixels, built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach, a vertically-tilting VGA screen, two Live View modes and quick continuous shooting at up to 7fps. Unlike most DSLRs, you can shoot moving action in Live View and even the face detection is usable. The A550, and its cheaper sibling the A500, are two of the most affordable DSLRs with fast continuous shooting and are therefore ideal for anyone who wants to capture action on a tighter budget - find out how they measure up in our Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 review and see their highlights in our HD video tour! Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_DSLR_A550/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_COOLPIX_L20/ Looking for a last-minute holiday gift? Check out Nikon's COOLPIX L20, one of the cheapest compact cameras from a reputable brand - and also available in a suitably festive red finish. Currently topping the point-and-shoot sales charts, the L20 can be had for less than $90 USD, yet offers 10 Megapixels, a 4x zoom and a generous 3in screen. It's fully automatic and best-suited for those who simply want to take photos rather than worrying about the technicalities. It's also a classy option for kids. But what kind of quality do you really get at this price-point? Find out in our Nikon COOLPIX L20 review where we've compared it against one of Canon's most affordable models. Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_COOLPIX_L20/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_A1100_IS/ Continuing our series of affordable cameras for the festive season is Canon's PowerShot A1100 IS, a budget compact with 12.1 Megapixels, a 4x stabilised zoom and a 2.5in screen. It's one of the cheapest point-and-shoot cameras from a big-brand on the market and has already become a runaway best-seller. But a low price from a familiar name aside, is the A1100 IS actually any good in practice? In our full review we've put it through its paces, comparing it against an even more affordable model from Nikon. Check out our Canon PowerShot A1100 IS to discover what you can expect from a camera at this low price point, and ultimately if it's worth buying. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_A1100_IS/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_S90/ Canon's PowerShot S90 is a powerful compact designed for enthusiasts who want a pocketable camera without compromising on control and features. The S90 may look like a Digital IXUS / ELPH from the outside, but packs-in full manual control, a 3.8x zoom with wide angle coverage, a large and detailed 3in / 460k screen and support for RAW files, along with putting some effort into decent low light performance with a sensible resolution and bright f2.0 focal ratio. Indeed it essentially gives you the flagship G11's quality in a much smaller body with a brighter lens. Interested? We thought so! Check out our Canon PowerShot S90 review to find out whether this is the compact demanding photographers will want to find in their Christmas stockings. Tue, 7 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_S90/ http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19218 Today marks the fourth birthday of Camera Labs, and it's been a great year! We've published more reviews than ever and broadened our scope to include everything from entry-level to pro cameras. Our video tours have gone high definition and been played over 10 Million times on YouTube, while the main site has grown to serve almost 4 Million pages a month. As always we couldn't do it with you, so we'd like to thank our regular readers, forum members and especially our moderators for keeping the forum one of the friendliest around. And finally an extra-special thanks to those sites which have linked to our articles and anyone who's shopped through our partner stores or donated at PayPal - without you, Camera Labs wouldn't exist! Wed, 2 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19218 http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_DSLR_A230/ A new DSLR needn't cost the Earth: Sony's Alpha A230 is the company's latest entry-level model, and one of the most affordable DSLRs on the market right now. Despite its budget price-point, Sony's equipped the A230 with built-in stabilization which works with any lens you attach, a 10 Megapixel sensor and an HDMI port. The A230 also sports an easy control system, designed for people using their first DSLR, although there's also plenty of manual control for when you're ready to explore further. Is this the perfect DSLR for a beginner on a budget? Find out in our Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 review where we'll compare it against affordable models from Canon and Nikon, not to mention others in Sony's own range. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_DSLR_A230/ http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/best_digital_cameras.shtml The Holiday season is almost upon us, so we've fully updated our Buyer's Guides to reveal the best digital cameras available right now! Whether you're shopping for a high-end pro camera, your first DSLR or simply an affordable point-and shoot, we've named the top models, and of course each has been fully tested in our in-depth reviews. So if you're shopping for a new digital camera this Holiday season, you've come to the right place! PS - if you find our reviews useful, don't forget you can support us by checking prices and shopping at the stores listed on these pages! Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/best_digital_cameras.shtml http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GF1/ The Panasonic Lumix GF1 is a compact camera with a DSLR-sized sensor and removeable lenses. Like the Olympus E-P1 before it, the GF1 employs the Micro Four Thirds standard to deliver the enthusiast's dream of a small camera with a big sensor, but while both models share a lot in common, there's equally a number of key differences. In the GF1's favour are a more detailed screen, faster AF, longer HD recording times and a built-in flash. So has the GF1 leap-frogged the E-P1 to become the perfect compact for demanding enthusiasts? Find out in our Panasonic GF1 review where we've directly compared their features and quality, while also seeing how a traditional compact measures-up. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GF1/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_DSC_W220/ The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 is a stylish and affordable compact with 12.1 Megapixels, a 4x optically-stabilised zoom lens and 2.7in screen. The W220 also features Scene Recognition in Auto and Sony's Smile Shutter mode which actually waits for your subject to smile before taking the photo. It represents good value for the money and since release has become a best-seller, but is up against a tough rival in Canon's IXUS 95 IS / PowerShot SD1200 IS. We pitched both head-to-head to see which is the best buy in our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 review. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_DSC_W220/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_G11/ Canon's PowerShot G11 is the latest in the company's flagship G-series, designed to satisfy demanding photographers who want a powerful compact or a pocketable backup to a DSLR. The latest G11 reduces its resolution for the first time in an attempt to deliver lower noise levels than its predecessor and features a new Low Light mode with a maximum sensitivity of 12,800 ISO. Canon's also equipped the G11 with a fully-articulated screen. In our full review we've tested all the new features along with paying particular attention to the low light capabilities of the G11, especially compared to other top-end compacts. Find out which is the ideal compact for enthusiasts in our Canon PowerShot G11 review. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_G11/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD1200_IS_IXUS_95_IS/ The Canon IXUS 95 IS / PowerShot SD1200 IS is a small, stylish and affordable compact camera with 10 Megapixels and a 3x optically-stabilised zoom. Despite the tiny dimensions, Canon's managed to squeeze both a 2.5in screen and an optical viewfinder into the camera, the latter allowing you to greatly extend the battery life. Slightly smaller than a pack of cards, the IXUS 95 IS / SD1200 IS is certainly very pocketable, but can it deliver the goods in practice? Find out whether this is the ideal budget camera for the holidays in our Canon IXUS 95 IS / PowerShot SD1200 IS review. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD1200_IS_IXUS_95_IS/ http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_7D/ Canon's EOS 7D is the company's latest semi-pro DSLR, but rather than replacing an existing model, it slots between the existing EOS 50D and 5D Mark II. It may not feature the Mark II's full-frame sensor, but enjoys numerous enhancements across the board, including 8fps continuous shooting, a new 19-point AF system, a viewfinder with 100% coverage and on-demand graphics, along with the choice of HD movie resolutions and frame rates. It's one of Canon's most ambitious DSLRs to date and we've been testing it for several weeks alongside the 50D, 5D Mark II and Nikon D300s. Find out how all four compare in our Canon EOS 7D review, and see the 7D's highlights in our HD video tour! Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_7D/