Gadget Reviews

Canon’s EOS 7D is a pretty grandiose piece of image-recording equipment, whether you’re talking about its size, features or price. You’re probably aware of the 18 megapixel APS-C sensor and dual DIGIC 4 processors already, but we’ve all had to be a bit more patient than usual in waiting for the pro reviews to come out. Dpreview doesn’t disappoint though, with a thoughtful 31-page tome awaiting the keen reader, and we’ve also got more digestible video reviews from DPhoto Journal for the less patient among you. If you’re after direct comparisons against competing models, such as the Nikon D300s, you’ll find those sprinkled in among the reviews as well, with Cameratown throwing in a direct head-to-head with Canon’s own 5D Mark II. The 7D was found to produce “virtually no visible noise” all the way up to ISO 1600, and scored further points for its gorgeous 100 percent frame-covering viewfinder and fast 19-point AF. With a weather-sealed, highly ergonomic body design, ridiculously fast processing and a sensor so good that “in most situations the lens, rather than the camera, is likely to be the limiting factor,” the only thing reviewers could criticize was the somewhat uncompetitive pricing, but that’s likely to soften with time anyway. Read on… if you dare.

Read – dpreview review
Read – Photography Blog review
Read – Tech Radar review
Read – DPhoto Journal video roundup
Read – Cameratown comparison with 5D Mark II

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon EOS 7D gets high marks all around originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By now you should be thoroughly familiar with Sony’s Party-shot-loving and almost unreasonably svelte TX1 compact shooter. Its headline features — 720p movie mode and better low light performance courtesy of the Exmor R sensor — have now been put to the test and we’re here with the scorecard ready to spill the results. Reassuringly, all reviewers found image quality to be excellent for the camera’s size class, and the TX1 even outperformed its peers by keeping noise comfortably in check all the way up to ISO 800. A 1cm (or 0.4-inches for you heretics) Macro mode was another highlight, though criticisms did rain down on issues of lens distortion, a fiddly touchscreen menu that was too prone to accidental activation, and an uncompetitive price point. Of course, your biggest draw here might still be the optional (and spendy) party dock, but the thorough reviews below at least give you the chance to pretend like you’re buying this camera for the image quality alone.

Read – Photography Blog review
Read – Wired review
Read – Imaging Resource review
Read – Electric Pig review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 scores mixed reception originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We had an all too brief hands-on with Canon’s PowerShot G11 way back in August, but the first real flood of reviews has only just recently started, and now seemed like as good a time as any to get you caught up on some of them. As you might expect, one of the real stand-out features is that swiveling LCD, which is not only good in and of itself, but “one of the best of its type” according to What Digital Camera. Other reviewers like Wired UK and CNET UK also found that G11 delivered some noticeably better results than the previous G10, with it aided especially by the surprising but welcome shift from the old 14.7-megapixel sensor to a new 10-megapixel one that offers an improved dynamic range and better performance at high ISO settings, among other advantages. On the downside, the camera is somewhat bulky, and PhotographyBlog says it fails to live up to Canon’s claims of it being the “ultimate compact,” especially when you consider some of the similarly-sized (but admittedly pricier) Micro Four Thirds offerings available.

Read – Wired.co.uk
Read – What Digital Camera
Read – CNET UK
Read – PhotographyBlog

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot G11 review roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The leading model of Sony’s “upper entry level” trifecta of Alpha-branded shooters, the 14.2 megapixel DSLR-A380, has been hitting test benches lately and we’ve rounded up the results for your perusal. The consensus appears to be that Sony has focused on bringing fans of compact cams up to the big time, with its uniquely responsive Live View and straightforward usability. Alas, ease of use is not the only thing brought up from the little leagues, with comparatively poor output at ISO 400 and above, lack of any video recording (which can be found on the Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D5000, its nearest competitors) and unsatisfying viewfinder ergonomics. Conclusion? If you were looking for a point-and-shoot on steroids, your search is at an end, young hobbit — but photography enthusiasts should probably look elsewhere.

Read – DP Review
Read – CNET review
Read – Camera Labs review
Read – Photo Review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sony Alpha 380 gets lukewarm reviews, must be someone’s perfect bowl of porridge originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Laptops

Lenovo IdeaPad U350 review roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's no question that Alienware's M17x with dual-GPU system is one the most powerful -- if not the most powerful -- laptop out there right now, but at 15.4 pounds and a sub-two hour battery life, the definition of "laptop" is being stretched a bit here. A handful of reviews have hit the interwebs, and the none too startling consensus is you'll be paying for the best here, especially with configuration options that can slot up to $5,000 -- CNET Australia suggests looking at the ASUS W90 if you want a better bang for your buck. The capacitive buttons above the keyboard aren't too responsive, there's no multitouch, and Hot Hardware noticed some flex in the center of the keyboard, but on the flip side, you'll be running full HD video and the most taxing games with little to no strain -- and if you like your keyboard to look like a light show, there's eight different sections to customize with different-colored LEDs. Guide your mouse to the links below for more in-depth discussion.

Read - Hot Hardware Read - CNET Australia
Read - Co-Optimus
Read - PCPro

Filed under: Laptops

Alienware M17x with dual-GPU review roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re in the market for a superzoom, and you’ve already decided that none of those Micro Four Thirds options will sway you, it looks as if you’ll be hard pressed to find a superior alternative to Panasonic’s minty fresh Lumix DMC-FZ35 (FZ38 in some regions). Both TrustedReviews and PhotographyBLOG managed to score a unit for review, and both outlets came away generally impressed. The former concluded that the outfit’s newest 18x zoomer was only marginally changed from its predecessor, but those who skipped on over the FZ28 should certainly give this one a look. In fact, it straight up confessed that to “get anything better than this, you’ll have to move up to a DSLR.” You may notice that this bugger doesn’t offer the greatest zoom nor the most megapixels in its class, but the stellar image quality and even more stirring video mode kept critics from suggesting any of those more marketable rivals. Don’t believe us? Check the read links below for all the proof you can handle.

[Thanks, TheLostSwede]

Read – TrustedReviews’ take
Read – PhotographyBLOG review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 superzoom reviewed: crème de la crème originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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