Photo Review Reviews section

Canon CanoScan CS5600F

8.5 Rating

A competitively-priced, easy to use scanner for photographers with small volumes of images to digitise.Although not top of the range, the CanoScan CS5600F is a well-specified flatbed scanner with an attractive price tag and could appeal to everyday consumers who need to scan both reflective originals (such as documents and prints) and images on film. Capable of 4800 x 9600 dpi (dots/inch) resolution and up to 48-bit colour depth it has a built-in film adaptor that accepts up to six frames on 35mm filmstrip or four mounted 35mm slides at a time.

Liquid Image VideoMask 310

8.5 Rating

A combined diving mask and video/stills camera for snorkelling and shallow scuba diving.Liquid Image’s VideoMask 310 sits in the middle of its new range of camera-equipped diving masks. Designed like a regular diving mask, it includes a digital camera that can record both still pictures and video clips. Ideal for snorkelling and shallow scuba diving, this mask can also be used for free diving and shark cage diving.

Sony SLT-A35

9 Rating

An affordable, lightweight DSLR with an electronic viewfinder and useful high-speed recording modes.Sony’s just-announced SLT-A35 takes the 16.2-megapixel sensor and the Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT) technology from the popular SLT-A55V and includes them in a smaller, lighter and lower-priced camera body. Introduced to replace the SLT-A33 model, it has a fixed LCD monitor and its continuous shooting speeds at full resolution are half those offered by the A55, which remains in Sony’s range. Like the SLT-A33 , the A35 lacks a GPS receiver.

Sony DSLR-A700

9 Rating

A well-built DSLR for serious photo enthusiasts, which offers excellent imaging performance and a wide range of adjustable controls.Sony’s long-awaited second DSLR, the Alpha A700 features a larger, tougher body and a new Exmor-branded CMOS sensor with 12.24-megapixel resolution. Noticeably larger and roughly 150 grams heavier than Sony’s first DSLR model (the A100), it is targeted at serious enthusiast photographers and boasts a faster image processor, improved dust and moisture resistance, a larger LCD monitor and a brighter viewfinder.

Sony DSLR A380

9 Rating

An entry-level DSLR with features that can help novice photographers to discover the benefits of SLR photography. Sony’s DSLR A380 is the top model in a suite of three Alpha DSLR cameras that were announced in late May. Ninety-two grams lighter than its predecessor, the 14.2-megapixel A380 replaces the DSLR-A350 in Sony’s line-up. The new camera has been designed for newcomers to SLR photography and boasts a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen, SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilisation and dual slots that accommodate Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (Full functionality is not guaranteed with Memory Stick Duo cards).

Sony DSLR-A300

8.8 Rating

A competitively-priced, feature-rich DSLR camera with a tilting LCD and live viewing.Sitting between the DSLR-A200 and DSLR-A350 models (both of which have been reviewed on this website), Sony’s DSLR-A300 offers the resolution of the A200 model plus the Live View system of the A350. Initially the company had no plans to release the A300 in Australia but it obviously saw a need to compete with other manufacturers that offered live viewing in their entry-level models.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

9 Rating

High resolution, image stabilisation and dust reduction technology plus excellent handling in a keenly-priced DSLR.Although we posted a ‘first look’ on the Photo Review website shortly after the official launch of Sony’s first interchangeable-lens DSLR early in June, it was late August before we were able to secure a production unit of the DSLR-A100 (Alpha 100) and conduct our standard battery of tests. In the interim, the camera and lenses have been selling well in a highly competitive market that is about to be further stimulated by the release of Nikon’s D80 and Canon’s EOS 400D, both of which offer 10-megapixel resolution.

Samsung GX10

9 Rating

A solidly-built, high-resolution DSLR camera with an above-average feature set and some innovative and useful functions.Samsung continues to re-badge Pentax DSLR cameras with its latest GX10 model, this time selecting the excellent Pentax K10D as its base. The strategy has helped both companies to spread the distribution of the camera as the Samsung model will sell well in countries where its brand is more familiar and the Pentax, likewise. Some subtle differences can be found in the menu displays but just about every feature that made the K10D so good is duplicated in the GX10. That’s not a bad thing – and it’s helped Samsung to produce its best DSLR camera yet.

Pentax K-r

9 Rating

A keenly-priced DSLR camera with plenty of advanced functions and support for 720p HD video capture.Like the entry-level K-x (which we reviewed in November 2009), the mid-range Pentax K-r is offered in black, white and bright red. It sits below the K-5 (which, like the K-r, was announced in the lead-in to Photokina 2010) in Pentax’s line-up. Combining the same 12.4-megapixel sensor as the K-x with a high-resolution monitor, the K-r supports the fastest burst speed of the three cameras and is the only one that can use either a rechargeable battery or four AA cells.

Pentax K200D

9 Rating

An affordable, well-built DLSR camera with some worthwhile features for photo enthusiasts.The new Pentax K200D replaces the K100D and is targeted at family users and digital SLR beginners. Although its 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor has lower resolution than the 14.2-megapixel CMOS chip in the K20D, the entry-level K200D has similar dust- and moisture-proof sealing, the same built-in anti-shake and dust removal and many of the same functions, but a significantly lower price tag.