For best results
To make most out of the Circular Polarizing filter, use it with your camera to take photos when the sun is either overhead or behind you and close to the horizon.

When not to use this filter?
Do not use it with stitched panoramic photos. The polarization from each panel may turn out different.

What size to choose?
It actually depends on the diameter of your lens. You can get one the same size as your lens but if you are planning to use a lens with a larger diameter, then go for the bigger one and buy an adaptor so that you can use your filter with your smaller lens.

Should I settle for a dirt cheap filter?
Buy filters from brands that are known to produce top-notch filters. Don’t settle for less or else, the quality of your images will most likely suffer. Go with Hoya, Kenko or B+W.

Buy a Circular Polarizing Filter here!

Canon IXUS 105 IS is available in five colors. IXUS 105 features the DIGIC 4 processor with a 12.1 megapixel image resolution. Its built-in lens has a 4x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 28-112mm). The size of its LCD screen is 2.7 inches. One of the valuable features that have been added to this model is the new Low Light scene mode.

Here are the other photos of the four other colors of IXUS 105 IS.

Specifications

The Canon IXUS 210 IS comes with a 3.5inch LCD which is the largest LCD screen amongst the all IXUS models of Canon. The LCD screen covers the entire back of the camera. It is actually a touch-sensitive widescreen (16:9) which offers intuitive camera operation without the need for many buttons.

One of its notable features is the Touch AF, where users can select objects and faces by simply touching them on the LCD. The selected elements are automatically tracked while the IXUS 210 maintains optimum focus and exposure.

The IXUS 210 offers a higher image resolution with its 14.1-megapixel CCD sensor. It includes a 5x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 24-120mm focal range).

Just like the IXUS 130, it has the low-light mode, smart shutter, miniature effect and the fish-eye effect.

Specifications

The Canon IXUS 130 is available in four colors. Currently, the IXUS 130 is the lightest and slimmest of all the cameras in the IXUS range. It is only 17.88mm in width and its weight is 133g (batteries included). The camera is built-in with a 4x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent is 28-112mm).

The Smart Auto mode (which reminded me of Lumix’s Intelligent Auto) has been enhanced to be able to detect and analyze subject and scene information so that the camera can automatically select the best shooting mode to produce quality results.

New scene modes included are: Fish-eye effect and the Miniature Effect. The Fish-eye Effect distorts the central area of an image to simulate the effect of the fish-eye lens. However, this one does not exactly mimic the fish-eye lens. The Miniature effect gradually blurs the peripheral area of an image which makes large subjects to appear in dollhouse-like proportions. These two scene modes does not really add that much value to the camera itself.

Low Light mode was also incorporated, where the ISO speed can be raised to 6400 to manage difficult shooting conditions.

Another new feature is the Smart Shutter where the shutter can be triggered with the detection of a face, smile or wink.

Specifications

The EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM was introduced in 2001. Ever since, it has been the high performance telephoto zoom lens of choice of most professional and advanced photographers because of the value it provided in the various fields of photography such as photojournalism and sports photography. The EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is an upgrade of the older model. It is designed with higher quality optics and it is designed to sustain tough weather conditions.

A large diameter f/2.8 lens offering telephoto 70-200mm focal range, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM offers premium build quality expected of a Canon L lens, with four-stop image stabilization, minimum focus distance of 1.2m over the entirety of its zoom range, and a combination of flourite and UD lens elements for best quality images.

Higher optical performance
Compared to the older models, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM consists of at least 23 lens elements in 19 groups. This means that this new lens offers greater image quality throughout the whole zoom range.

The flourite lens element used in this lens cuts the chromatic aberration (both axial and magnification type of chromatic aberration) to a minimum. Coatings and lens disposition have been optimized to cut flare and ghosting.

Excellent Performance: High Speed AF, 4-stop IS
Its ring USM drive and high speed CPU with improved AF algorithm offers fast and quiet auto focusing. The ultra-compact stepping motor (USM) and friction-reducing mechanisms has been incorporated in this lens. These innovations give the lens 4-stop advantage with IS switched on. The lens also features manual focusing.

Reliable in tough conditions
The EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features a magnesium alloy construction for its main components. The fixed barrel has been strengthened. Water proofing and dust has been improved to make the use of the lens suitable in harsh weather conditions.

Specifications

Pentax has long been known to produce the best line of film cameras since the 1950s, but it’s evolution to digital SLRs will make consumers take a second look at the new Pentax K-7.

Pentax has incorporated the goodies in the oldie with both an optical and a 3.0-inch LCD display for users to view their subjects. It has even evolved to a “sexier” version of its bulkier forerunner K20D, with a more slender body weighing approximately 760 grams. And if sexier is not enough, the new K-7 is even more clever with a 77-segment metering system from the 16-segment metering of the older model. For continuous shots, it can take go up to 5.21 frames per second with its 1/8000 shutter speed. This baby won’t even die on you after over 700 shots cause of its custom Li-Ion battery.

K-7 has indeed proved that Pentax has taken its evolution to a double pace to the right direction. Release date has been said to be July 2009 at the best price being aroudn US$1300.

The new Samsung ST45 is super slim measuring only 0.63 inches at its thickest part. Although it is quite petite in size, this camera does not skimp on high tech features.

At 12.2 Megapixels, you can take excellent quality photos while utilizing its image stabilization function. You can also zoom up with its 3x optical zoom function and has pretty good sensitivity which can go up to ISO 3200. This camera is also pretty generous when it comes to the display with a 2.7 inch QVGA LCD.

While being extremely portable, the Samsung ST45 also comes with built-in album organizing capability which manages pictures by date, theme, color and content.

The new model by Samsung is scheduled to be released in the UK by October, while the US release date has yet to be announced.

The Canon Battery Grip BG-E2N features a new sealing material around the battery compartment to better resist water and dust. It adds a vertical shutter release, and is compatible with up to two BP-511, BP-511A, BP-512, BP-514 Lithium-ion battery packs, or six AA batteries with included battery holder BMG-E2. Made just for the EOS 20-D Digital SLR, EOS 30-D & EOS 40-D Digital SLR Cameras , the Battery Grip BG-E2N holds up to 2 Battery Packs or 6 AA Batteries to offer double-length (more…)

2009

Nikon D3000
12.3MP
7 AF points
ISO 200-3200 extendable to 6400
3.5fps
Video unknown

Nikon D300s
12.3MP
7fps
HD video (1080p .mov h.264, 24fps)
CF and SD cards slots
920,000 pixel LCD screen

D700x
24.5MP
5fps
HD video (1080p .mov h.264, 24fps)

New lenses:
AF-S Nikkor 24 to 135 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4G
AF-S Nikkor 85 mm f/1.4G

2010

Nikon D4
15.7MP (more sensitive and with less noise)
Up to 16fps with “double exposure”
ISO 200-12800 (plus extended range)
61-point AF
1080p video at 30fps
CLS control (although no flash is mentioned)

Nikon D400
13.8MP (more sensitive and with less noise)
8fps
Up to 12fps with “double exposure”
ISO 200-6400 (plus extended range)
61-point AF
1080p video at 24fps

Nikon D4x
30.2MP
ISO 100 – 6400
6fps
1080p video at 30fps

Lenses:
AF-S Nikkor 14 to 28 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
AF-S Nikkor 120 to 450 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
AF-S Nikkor 300 mm f/4G VR
Nikkor AF-S VR 400 mm f/5.6G
AF-S Nikkor 70 to 240 mm f/3.5-4.5G VR
AF-S Nikkor 105 mm f/2G DC
AF-S Nikkor 24 to 85 mm f/4G VR
AF-S DX Nikkor 60 to 95 mm f/2G VR
AF-S DX Nikkor 17-60 mm f/2.8G VR

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500 digital camera features 10.1-megapixel resolution, 5x zoom, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, and Face Detection technology, as well as the ability to record 720p high-definition video and even take a picture while recording. After shooting, you can play your videos back on the large 3.5-inch LCD touch-screen display, on your PC, or your compatible HDTV. HD videos are recorded in the MPEG4 format, which offers superb image quality in a smaller file (more…)