hd movie – photography news!

panasonic-lumix-dmc-gh1

The Panasonic Lumix DMC–GH1 is an update to the micro four thirds–based DMC–G1 with an important feature: HD video shooting! Unlike most digital SLR cameras with video shooting capabilities, the GH1 can continuously autofocus while recording videos. Its contrast–detect AF system allows this capability unlike the phase–detect systems in common digital SLRs like the Nikon D90 and the Canon EOS–5D Mark II. The new 14 megapixel sensor takes some cues from the Lumix LX3 by having various aspect ratios for its images. The GH1 can now do 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 which provides for more creative possibities. If only this retails much less than the cheapest SLR cameras from Canon and Nikon, I just might want one.

Canon EOS-5D Mark II officially announced

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Yes, it’s now confirmed, the Canon EOS-5D Mark II is a real camera! After months (or was it years?) of speculation on how Canon would update the full–frame 5D, it is now finally here. Unfortunately, it’s not even close to the rumored 5D update we wrote about last March.

Highlights of this new camera:

New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
New Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
High performance DIGIC 4 providing superb image quality
Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
3.0” VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points

Not to be outdone by Nikon’s D90, movie recording is available at HD 1080p, besting the Nikon which maxes out at the not–too–shabby 720p setting. Certainly, most of the changes are evolutionary, except for the new CMOS sensor which stands out, almost doubling the 12–megapixel model it replaces. And with sensitivity expansion reaching ISO 25600, the 5D Mark II will certainly be in the bags of Canon–shooting pros pretty soon.