Photo Review Reviews section

Canon PowerShot A2000 IS

8.5 Rating

An affordable compact digicam with above-average performance and an Easy shooting mode for novice users.The A2000IS slots into the middle of Canon’s PowerShot range where it replaces the PowerShot A720 IS, which has been on the market for about a year. The new model has the same lens but provides higher resolution (10 megapixels, compared to 8) and a larger LCD monitor with higher resolution. It also sports a slimmer, more streamlined body that is 15 grams lighter but retains the DIGIC III image processor of the previous model.

Canon Digital Ixus 850 IS

8.5 Rating

High imager resolution plus an optically stabilised wide-angle zoom lens and some handy new functions make the Ixus 850 IS a good choice for snapshooters.A slightly longer zoom lens, built-in image stabilisation and some handy new functions are the key features that distinguish the new Canon Ixus 850IS from the popular Ixus 750 model, although the new camera’s styling has been changed a little. Although the traditional metal Ixus body is retained, the Ixus 850IS is slightly larger than its predecessor, though 20 grams lighter. It comes in a very business-like grey instead of burnished gold and is $50 cheaper than the Ixus 750 was on release.

Canon Digital Ixus 800IS

8.5 Rating

Effective image stabilisation makes the 4x optical zoom lens usable in indoor lighting.The first Ixus camera with image stabilisation (IS), Canon’s new Ixus 800IS is styled like the Ixus 750 with rounded corners to its sleek metal body. However, it has a smaller 6-megapixel sensor and longer 4x optical zoom lens. The IS system uses vibration sensors to detect and correct slight camera shake by shifting a lens element. Couple this with ISO settings up to 800 and you can shoot at approximately three EV steps lower than with a non-stabilised lens.

Canon Digital Ixus 750

Canon’s Digital Ixus 750 l has the same 7-megapixel CCD sensor, smart metal body and 3x optical zoom lens as the Ixus 700 it replaces, but is $50 cheaper. A large 2.5-inch LCD is now provided, with ‘UI display improvements’, the most useful being selectable grid lines, which make it easier to ‘square-up’ subjects (especially horizons) when composing shots and warnings that indicate the potential for camera shake (a flashing red icon and the shutter speed are displayed on-screen).

Canon Digital Ixus 40

Canon’s 4-megapixel Digital Ixus 40 has a compact stainless steel body that is less than 20mm thick and a retracting 3x zoom lens. This ‘UA’ lens includes an ultra-high refractive index glass moulded aspherical lens element that reduces overall length and minimises optical aberrations. The mode dial is replaced by a slider that switches from playback, to movie, to still capture, and is much less likely to be dislodged.

Velbon Ultra Maxi M Tripod

8 Rating

A lightweight tripod for travellers and bushwalkers.Velbon’s Ultra Maxi tripods combine compact size with light weight and feature a patented Trunnion Shaft System (TSS) which minimises their length when folded. Each unit is supplied with a sturdy nylon carry-bag that has dual drawstring closures and a sling strap for easy carrying. Compact enough to fit into a backpack they are ideal for travellers and bushwalkers.

ThinkTank Photo Skin Set

8.5 Rating

A non-padded, lightweight, modular system of equipment pouches than can be worn on belts or harnesses.Modular systems represent a relatively new type of ‘camera bag’ but they’ve become quite popular with some professional photographers (especially photojournalists and multi-media shooters – because they’re designed to be customised. You simply purchase a belt or harness and then add the required pouches and hangers to carry your kit. This system is exemplified by the Skin Set from ThinkTank Photo.

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 Lens

8.5 Rating

The latest iteration of a classic, affordably-priced, mid-range macro lens.Although Tamron has been producing 90mm macro lenses since the late 1970s, the latest SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens is the first with Tamron’s latest Di (Digitally Integrated Design) technology, which matches the performance characteristics of current DSLR cameras. The new lens features improved coatings that reduce reflected light bouncing off the mirror-like surface of the sensor, thereby ensuring the full colour and contrast ranges in subjects are recorded.

Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II Macro Lens

8.5 Rating

A fast, well-built macro lens for cameras with APS-C sized image sensors.Tamron’s SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II Macro lens is considerably lighter and a full f-stop faster than the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens we reviewed recently. This SP (Super Performance) lens covers a focal length equivalent to 93mm in 35mm format with Nikon and Sony cameras or 96mm on the Canon EOS 40D camera we used for our review, which makes it also suitable for portraiture.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Lens

8.5 Rating

A fast, high-performance standard zoom lens for digital SLR cameras.Although Tamron’s SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] lens has been designed for cameras with 36 x 24mm sensors, it is also usable on cameras with smaller, APS-C sized sensors, where it covers a focal length range of 44.8-120mm on Canon DSLRs or 42-112.5mm on all the rest. The fast f/2.8 maximum aperture applies throughout the 2.7x zoom range with both sensor sizes.