Sptember 22

We've just posted our first set of lab test shots from a production-level Nikon J1! The J1's CX-format image sensor has an effective resolution of 10.1 megapixels, and a diagonal of approximately 15.9mm. That's quite a lot larger than the 7.7mm chip used in Pentax's Q, but significantly smaller than 21.6mm Micro Four Thirds and ~28mm APS-C sensors. Nikon couples its new CX-format imager with a new EXPEED 3 image processing engine featuring dual imaging pipelines. The standard ISO-equivalent sensitivity range for the Nikon J1 is ISO 100 to 3,200, and a Hi-1 position allows this to be extended to a maximum of ISO 6,400. Click here for more on the Nikon J1, and visit the Nikon J1 Samples page for the images we've shot so far, including links to select RAW files. Stay tuned for more lab images in the days to come!

Brand New Digital Camera

Full Review posted for Canon T3!
In the last weeks of 2008, we reviewed Canon's Rebel XS SLR, a camera we felt to be a pretty well-rounded, despite a few quirks that led enthusiasts to look beyond the entry-level pricetag. Still available on closeout, the Rebel XS is now showing its age, and so the Canon T3 replaces that camera. As the new entry-level point to the company's SLR lineup, the T3 is an interesting design, gifting significant upgrades in some areas, and paring back features in others. Based around a newer 12-megapixel image sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon T3 most notably increases the upper sensitivity limit to ISO 6,400 equivalent, and adds high-def video capture. It also adds two more focus points, and switches to Canon's clever dual-layer iFCL metering chip, which takes account of color information when determining exposures. Canon has also slightly increased the LCD display size, updated the kit lens to improve the stabilization system, and cut the pricetag by another $100 below that of its predecessor at launch. What had to give, to achieve this? The Canon T3's new optical viewfinder has both lower magnification and a significantly tighter dioptric correction. Burst shooting speed and depth is also towards the lower end of what's available, especially when shooting in RAW or RAW+JPEG modes. In addition, Canon has removed the mechanical portion of its EOS Integrated Cleaning System. To find out whether these tradeoffs were worthwhile given the Rebel T3's aggressive pricing, you'll want to read our Canon T3 review.

Digital Camera

First Shots posted for Pentax Q!
We've just posted our first set of test shots from a production-level Pentax Q, straight from the lab! The heart of the Pentax Q digital camera is a backside-illuminated 1/2.3"-type CMOS image sensor that's quite a bit smaller than Nikon's new CX-format sensor, and much smaller than the Micro Four Thirds and APS-C sized sensors in most other competing models, but which has also allowed Pentax to make the camera body and lenses significantly smaller than those from its competition. Other features of the Pentax Q include in-body image stabilization, piezoelectric dust reduction, five frames-per-second burst shooting, a 3.0-inch LCD panel, and both a built-in popup flash and hot shoe for external strobes. In addition, the Pentax Q can record high-def 1080p movies at 30 frames per second, with H.264 AVC compression. Click here for our hands-on Pentax Q preview, and visit the Pentax Q Samples page for the images we've shot so far, including links to select RAW files. Stay tuned for more lab images in the days to come!