Digital Trends

The annual Photo Marketing Association convention is a gathering of photo retailers, imaging geeks and manufacturers touting their latest gear. Although most of the show floor is dedicated to things the average consumer couldn’t care less about, DigitalTrends dutifully walked the aisles to uncover items of interest. Here goes:

Without question the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III was the camera hit of the show. This D-SLR is amazing—even when you consider its $4500 price (due April). This beefy camera shoots an astounding 10 frames per second—and these are 10-megapixel images. I handled this digital camera and when you’re in continuous mode, the shutter moves in a dazzling blur. Granted not too many “normal” photographers are going to buy it (it’s more for pro sports shooters and photo journalists). Still many of the advances in this camera will trickle down to D-SLRs that are much more affordable. You can go to the Canon site to read about all of the tech advances for the Mark III but keep your eye on the new Digic III processor already found in many new Canon point-and-shoot cameras. Most likely it’ll show in a new Digital Rebel later this year and an updated version of the EOS 30D. For sure they won’t have the two Digic III processors found in the Mark III to handle the massive flow of data. The camera also has a better CMOS imager, a brighter viewfinder. ISO 6400, 19-point AF, a battery rated for 2200 shots and a Live View that lets you see a still subject on the LCD screen. This is not anything like the Live View found on Olympus and Panasonic D-SLRs and it’s geared for still lifes. Even if you don’t buy this camera, go to a retailer and ask for a demo; you’ll flip at the response of this truly cutting-edge digital camera.

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

The D-SLR wave rolls on. At PMA, Nikon unveiled an upgrade for the recently reviewed D40. The new D40x is a 10-megapixel camera with a frame rate of 3 fps compared to 2.5 fps and 6.1MP of the D40. You’ll pay for the privilege as the D40x costs $729 for the body alone versus $599 for the D40 kit with an 18-55mm lens. A D40x kit hits $799. We’ll try to get our hands on it to see if it’s worth the extra green but we liked the D40 and it’s basically the same camera with the added improvements.

Nikon D40