Here are the basics: 15.1MP, HD video capture (full 1080p HD video recording at 20fps), a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to nine RAW images in a single burst, ISO speeds up to 3200 in whole stop increments (plus H1: 6400 and H2: 12800), a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA). The camera comes with Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer, Creative Auto Mode and Live View.

The T1i is scheduled for delivery by early May and will be sold in a body-only configuration for $799.99 and in a kit version with Canon’s EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $899.99.

Initial Reactions to Canon Digital Rebel T1i / 500D

Joe Decker, a Photocrati contributor, talks about implications of the 500D / Digital Rebel T1i the “narrowing” of the market for digital slr cameras, and how the increased power and resolution of “entry” level cameras may soon reduce the size of the market for flagship pro models.

Digital Photography Preview says “this is most of a 50D stuffed into the familiar 450D body.”

Camera Labs says: “if the Beta unit’s quality holds up, … the Canon Rebel T1i’s image quality is at least as good as the Canon 50D, delivering more detail than most of the 12-megapixel cameras on the market for less money.”

Both the DPreview and Camera Labs comments above are based on preliminary use of beta models, so it’s a bit early to tell what the verdict will be. But it’s clear this is intended to be Canon’s new flagship model at the lower end of the market, and that it will be popular camera.

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David Honl’s Weblog: Why do you need a pro DSLR?

On Monday my new 30D backup was crushed beneath me, and became destined for the scrap heap. I was covering a heated political demonstration here in Turkey and things took a painful turn for the worse. After being attacked by a group of volatile PKK supporters, thrown to the ground, kicked, beaten, and introduced to the experience of having a 1D body slammed over my head, I was face-down on the pavement with my 30D. My pro-grade 1Ds survived, even after being used to hit me over the head (ouch). On a CF card note, I was able to rescue my nearly-filled 2gb card from the ground before running for the hills (it popped out of the camera on impact).

On top of it all, I became news in all the Turkish media this week as “American journalist attacked” and spent the rest of the week fielding phone calls and doing interviews. Ughhhh.

Technorati Tags: canon, 30d, 1d, digital, camera

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• Digital Photo Professional (DPP) 2.1
• EOS Utility 1.0
• CameraWindow DSLR 5.3R2 (Windows)
• ZoomBrowser EX 5.6.0 (Windows)
• ImageBrowser 5.6.1a (Mac).

Grab them while they are hot

Technorati Tags: photography, canon, digital, camera, software, tools, news

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Canon’s EOS 30D is numbered as if it were a major upgrade to the popular and excellent EOS 20D, and Canon marketing plumps it up even higher than that – the line is that it really has more in common with the 5D than the 20D. Really? With the same 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the same DIGIC II image processor, the same 9-point autofocus system and the same 5 fps burst rate as the 20D, the 30D seems more like a respectable update of the 20D than anything else. When Canon put a bigger LCD and picture styles on the 1D Mark II, they changed the name to the 1D Mark II n. This new camera shows comparable improvements. We’d call it the “20D n,” if it were up to us.

I haven’t touched the camera but I am disappointed with the specs, I have to agree that they ought to have called it an upgrade to the 20D rather than give it the marketing moniker of 30D. The name they have blessed it with gives expectations of a much greater improvement than the specifications can live up to.

Still it looks like it’s a great camera. Check out the full review.

Technorati Tags: canon, eos, 30d, dslr, digital, camera, review, reviews, photography

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Canon EOS 30D: Digital Photography Review

• Redesigned body (more EOS 5D like)
• Larger LCD monitor (2.5″)
• Soft-touch shutter release button
• AE/AF lock remains set if shutter is kept half-pressed between shots
• Faster startup and wake from sleep times
• Direct print button on rear of camera (woo!)
• Spot metering
• 100,000 shot shutter cycle
• ISO selectable in third stop steps
• ISO speed shown in viewfinder as you change it (still not once changed though)
• Selectable 5 or 3 fps continuous shooting
• PictureStyles instead of simple image parameters
• 9,999 images per folder (instead of 100 as per the EOS 20D)
• 15 menu languages (3 new)

Technorati Tags: canon, eos, dslr, 30d, rumours, annoucement, news, photography, digital, camera

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There are more rumors circulating that Canon DSLR announcements are scheduled for the next week or so. One reliable source told me today that I should keep some time aside on 21 February.

This will add fuel to the already buzzing forums about the rumours of new DSLR cameras from Canon. Could these rumoured releases be the 3000D or the 35D? We wait with almost-baited breath …

Technorati Tags: 35d, 3000d, canon, rumours, photography, news, dslr

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