News & Reviews:   Canon EOS

Everyone is on a tighter budget these days, even photographers and in line with that, Canon have announced the Canon EOS Rebel T5 which is an affordable DSLR that comes with an 18-55mm lens at just $550. The camera is by no means a pushover and comes with a fairly capable 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, 9-point AF system, ISO 100~12800 and 1080p at 30fps video recording. While these are all the more notable tech specs and features available the fact that it comes with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens for just $550 (RM1825) is certainly a very tempting offer. While there isn't any official Malaysia pricing just yet, you should be able to expect the compact Canon EOS Rebel T5 in Malaysia sometime in or after March 2014.

The Canon EOS M2 was officially launched recently and one of the main features it brings to the table is a much faster auto focus speed at 2.3x compared to the original Canon EOS M. According to Canon this is due to the Hybrid CMOS AF II system on the EOS M2 but the same APS-C sensor is still there. Canon have solved some issues found with the EOS M like the blacked-out screen after taking a photo as well. Other tech specs and features include Wifi connectivity and wireless sharing of images but the overall body design remains the same. While we're still not sure what lens it will arrive with (despite there being not very many to choose from), you can get it with a lens at 84800 yen (RM2659). If you already have compatible lens for this mirrorless camera then you can just get the body for 64800 yen (RM2032). For now the Canon EOS M2 will be available in Japan but it should reach Malaysia eventually, perhaps in early 2014.

The 1D series cameras are optimized for fast operation and have traditionally been the camera of choice for sports professionals who shoot with Canon. 1D series use an APS-H format sensor (28.1x18.7mm), which is larger than APS-C and so can yield higher image quality, but is smaller than full frame, which means that the file size is smaller and the reflex mirror can be smaller and lighter. This enables the camera can operate at higher speeds (10 frames per sec). Like other professional 1D and 1Ds series cameras, the EOS 1D MkIV has an integrated grip with a second set of controls for vertical shooting and is weather-sealed for operation outdoors in the rain. It also utilizes a high capacity battery pack and has high strength construction to make it rugged enough to stand up to hard professional use.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV - Design & Build:

The EOS 1D MkIV is a relatively large and heavy camera. The integrated grip and high capacity battery significantly increase the size of the camera body when compared to an EOS 5D MkII and it's much bigger and heavier than something like a digital Rebel T2i. At just over 2.5lbs in weight it's also pretty heavy - and that weight doesn't include a lens!

Anticipation for 1D Mark III was great and when the word finally came out we saw a camera that was completely redesigned, with new features like improved AF, sensor cleaning, Live View, AF micro adjustment, new user interface, bigger LCD, internal Speedlite control, lighter weight, 14 bit A/D conversion, less noise, more metering sensors... in short, expectations were met and in many parts exceeded. Before the camera was shipped its AF was praised by PR documentation and videos, we got videos showing 10fps in action and how Live View looked.

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III - Design & Build:

Mark III weight (with battery) has dropped 295 grams which is just what was needed to make a difference. Main weight reduction came from smaller and lighter battery, some internals were done with magnesium instead of aluminum die cast. The body feels as durable and well constructed as all 1D's have felt.

Buttons have been relocated, some removed and some added. The whole layout is simpler for daily use. There is a new AF/ON button which starts AF, but I really like to use the old * button for that function. AF/ON is located somewhat "behind corner" and I found using it disturbed my shooting balance a bit. A great thing is that 580 EX II and Mark III create a weather sealed combination.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Escalates Full-Frame Digital SLR Photography to the Next Level with HD Movie Recording Capabilities, DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, and 21.1 Megapixel Resolution

Canon EOS 5D Mark II - Performance:

Canon, the first company to introduce a full-frame digital camera, has improved the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera's newly developed full-frame CMOS image sensor. Utilizing proprietary Canon technology, the Company has reduced noise and expanded the sensitivity of the CMOS sensor up to ISO 25600, which is three full stops higher than the ISO 3200 limit of the original EOS 5D camera. Although the individual pixel dimensions of the EOS 5D Mark II camera are the same as the 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor used in the EOS-1Ds Mark III digital SLR, the new sensor incorporates an improved output amplifier and a more advanced color filter that improves light transmission while retaining excellent color reproduction. By applying the same kind of advancements in sensor design and image processing technology as the recently introduced EOS 50D camera, but at higher resolution and with larger pixels, the EOS 5D Mark II achieves the highest level of image quality of any EOS Digital SLR released to date.

With a budget to spend on a top-end Canon DSLR body you are spoilt for choice. You may decide to go full-frame and invest all of your budget in the 21-megapixel EOS 5D mkII and shoot big files for the ultimate image quality. Or you may sacrifice a few megapixels and go for pure shooting speed and the latest focusing and exposure technologies by investing in the 18-megapixel, cropped sensor EOS 7D.

Canon EOS 7D - Features:

Feature-rich is a term that definitely applies to the EOS 7D and there are several new technologies that are making their first appearance on a Canon DSLR camera. Because Canon have made plenty of noise about it, let us kick off with the 63-zone metering system called iFCL. This stands for Focus, Colour and Luminance and that is a clue to how the system works. It assesses the colour of light and its intensity but also takes into account information from the focusing sensors. Working in conjunction with the iFCL system is a dual layer sensor, one layer sensitive to red/green light and the other to blue/green light.

Continuing to move onwards, Canon has released the Canon EOS 70D. Refreshing the solid performance provided by the Canon EOS 60D with a new 20.1MP Dual Pixel sensor and a whole bunch of other awesome features, the 70D includes tech specs such as:

• 20.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Live View
• 3.0-inch 1040K Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
• Full HD 1080p Video with Move Servo AF
• 19-Point All Cross-Type AF System
• Continuous Shooting Rate Up to 7 fps
• ISO 100-12800 (Expandable to ISO 25600, 6400 ISO for video)
• Built-In Wireless Connectivity

Calling all young Malaysian Photographers!

Canon Singapore Pte ltd and the National Geographic Channel have recently announced the official launch of the EOS Young Photographer Award contest for Malaysia. The contest is open to aspiring young Malaysian photographers from 13 years old to 25 years old to submit their best photographs under the main theme of "A Celebration of Colour".

Canon and National Geographic have teamed up to organize the EOS Young Photography Competition. Open to aspiring young Malaysian photographers from the ages of 13 years old to 25 years old, the competition aims to highlight the beauty of nature's colours through Canon's camera technology. Based on a fortnightly colour theme participants are encouraged to showcase shots that highlight the main theme of "A Celebration of Colour".

DSLR cameras are not usually known for their small size or light weight, but Canon's recently released EOS 100D or otherwise known as the Rebel SL1 changes all this by being one of the smallest and lightest DSLR cameras in the world. Weighing in at a mere 400g the DSLR is just a little heavier than a standard 7-inch tablet or paperback book and yet manages to avoid the "like a toy"  feeling you get with too lightweight devices. This is probably due to the solid plastic body and ergonomic design. Other features include:

• 18MP sensor
• Hybrid CMOS AF II system
• 80% viewfinder coverage
• 3 - inch capacitive screen
• 9 point AF system