New Canon 5D Mark II

Announced along the Powershot compact of G1, SX1 IS, SX10 IS and few others compacts, this SLR full frame camera is the main attraction for the announcement. The key features are:

• New 21.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with improved EOS Integrated Cleaning System (E.I.C.S.)
• New Full HD 1080 resolution movie recording
• 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
• High performance DIGIC 4 providing superb image quality
• Maximum 310 large JPEG images in a single burst with a UDMA card
• 3.0” VGA (920k dots) Clear View LCD
• ISO 100-6400 (expansion from 50 up to 25,600)
• 9 AF points + 6 Assist AF points

and it's in a compact body and full frame. Plus the full HD video recording and 21.1 MP CMOS sensor. This will be a direct challenger to Nikon D700 and Sony Alpha A-900.

Read more..

Two new superzooms Canon Powershot

Also announced on the same day as Powershot G10 are the superzooms Powershot SX1 IS and SX10 IS. The Powershot SX1 IS is higher in spec than the SX10 IS. The SX1 IS has 10megapixels CMOS sensor (SX10 IS: 10MP CCD sensor), Full HD video recording, burst rate 1.1 fps (SX10 IS: 0.7 fps), evf 0.40"type (SX10 IS: 0.44" type), 2.8inch variangle LCD (SX10 IS: 2.5inch). The SX1 IS also has HDMI port and slightly heavier than SX10 IS.

Features at a glance:

• 20x wide-angle (28mm, f/2.8) optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer
• 10.0 Megapixels
• Canon CMOS sensor for full resolution continuous 4.0fps shooting
  (PowerShot SX1 IS)
• Full HD (1080p, 30fps) movies plus HDMI output (PowerShot SX1 IS)
• DIGIC 4 for outstanding images and fast response times
• Shooting modes include full manual control
• Great people shots with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB plus
  Face Select & Track and FaceSelf-Timer
• Targets every possible cause of blur with High ISO Auto, optical
  Image Stabilizer, Motion Detection Technology and Servo AF
• Auto Red-Eye Correction in shooting and playback
• i-Contrast boosts brightness and retains detail in dark areas
• 2.5” vari-angle LCD II with wide viewing angle plus electronic viewfinder (PowerShot SX10 IS)
• 2.8” widescreen vari-angle LCD II with wide viewing angle (PowerShot SX1 IS)
• Multi Control Dial and customizable My Menu
• Smooth, 30fps VGA movies (PowerShot SX10 IS)

New flagship Canon compact camera, Powershot G10

Yesterday, 17th of September 2008, Canon officially announced the long awaited replacement for the G-Series camera, the new Canon Powershot G10. The key features of this new flagship model is its lens which is the first in G-Series camera to have a wide angle lens, 28mm lens. New sensor, 14.7 CCD Sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor, optical image stabiliser and many more. The design was also changed a bit where the handle grip been redesigned for more comfort.

Features at a glance:

• 14.7 Megapixel CCD sensor
• 5x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer
• RAW image recording plus support for Canon Digital Photo Professional
• DIGIC 4 for clear, sharp images, high-speed AF (including Servo AF) and fast response times
• Targets all the main causes of blur with High ISO Auto, optical
  Image Stabilizer, Motion Detection Technology and Auto ISO shift
• Great people shots with improved Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB plus
  Face Select & Track and FaceSelf-Timer
• 3.0” PureColor LCD II (461k dots resolution) with wide viewing angle and optical viewfinder
• i-Contrast boosts brightness and retains detail in dark areas
• Dedicated Exposure Compensation and ISO dials
• 26 shooting modes with manual control and custom settings
• Accessories include tele-converter, Speedlite flashes and waterproof case
• Smooth, 30fps VGA movies

Leica officially announced D-Lux 4 and C-Lux 3

D-Lux 4

C-Lux 3

Leica just announced today their replacement for D-Lux 3 and C-Lux 2, the new D-Lux 4 and C-Lux 3. D-Lux 4 features a 1/1.63" CCD image sensor, 3.0inch 460,000 dot LCD monitor and a 24 to 70mm lens f2.0 lens. While C-Lux 3 has smaller 1/2.33” CCD sensor, 2.5inch 230,000 dots LCD monitor and zoom range of 24 to 125mm. Both have 50MB internal memory, SD/SDHC expandable memory storage and HD video recording.

Source: dpreview

Apple iPod

Just visited the Mac City, reseller of the Apple products. I'm looking for iPod classic and the update is here in Malaysia just a few days after the launched.

iPod classic now available in only one configuration: 120GB storage with the pricetag of RM999. While the new generation iPod nano with 8GB cost you RM599 and 16GB model for RM799. The 16GB model were not in stok yet. Other interesting model is the iPod touch especially the 8GB model which priced slightly lower than the 120GB iPod classic for RM949. But 8GB memory space is too little for this time. The iPod touch also available in 16GB model (RM1229) and 32GB model (RM1629). The least interesting model is the iPod shuffle with no LCD screen, available in two memory space: 1GB and 2GB. Each priced for RM189 and RM259.

For me, the best buy for these music, video, and sometimes games player is the iPod classic. For sure I'm not gonna buy the iPod shuffle for it's small memory. For iPod touch, it's too pricey for a not so big memory. Lastly the iPod nano, quite a good buy if you don't want an iPod classic and if you want a smaller size.

Refreshment

I do enjoy the PC Weenies comic and other tech related comic. Really funny, at least for us, IT guy.

Vettel won Italian GP, writes history

image from pitpass.com

image from F1.com

Vettel writes a new history in the Formula 1 as he being the youngest ever driver to won a Grand Prix. He is the 101th winner in Formula One races. He leads the race from the beginning until the end mostly from Heikki Kovalainen on the second place. Webber, Bourdais, and Rosberg who started in the top rows were not perform well and finished without points except for Webber who'd took the final points from Hamilton. Raikkonen were just behind him but far away to pass for the 8th position.

Kubica started from 11th place behind his teammate Heidfeld, but with great drive, he finished third on podium for BMW Sauber, followed by Alonso, Heidfeld, Massa, Hamilton and Webber.

Raikkonen started from 15th place and finished 9th but he did a good lap time by taking the fastest lap of the race repeatedly from other drivers until the final lap with 1 min 28.047 seconds. Impressive but wasted for not being finished in points.

Until Italian GP, Hamilton leads from Massa in drivers' championship points by just 1 point. Kubica is third with 64 points.

Full classification:

1. S. Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:26:47.454
2. H. Kovalainen McLaren + 12.512
3. R. Kubica BMW + 20.471
4. F. Alonso Renault + 23.903
5. N. Heidfeld BMW + 27.748
6. F. Massa Ferrari + 28.816
7. L. Hamilton McLaren + 29.912
8. M. Webber Red Bull + 32.048
9. K. Räikkönen Ferrari + 39.468
10. N. Piquet jr. Renault + 54.445
11. T. Glock Toyota + 58.888
12. K. Nakajima Williams + 1:02.000
13. J. Trulli Toyota + 1:05.900
14. N. Rosberg Williams + 1:08.600
15. J. Button Honda + 1:13.300
16. D. Coulthard Red Bull + 1 laps
17. R. Barrichello Honda + 1 laps
18. S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 laps
19. A. Sutil Force India F1 + 2 laps

Did not finish

• G. Fisichella Force India F1 + 41 laps

Drivers championship points:

1. Lewis Hamilton 78
2. Felipe Massa 77
3. Robert Kubica 64
4. Kimi Raikkonen 57
5. Nick Heidfeld 53
6. Heikki Kovalainen 51

Constructors' Championship Points

1. Ferrari 134
2. McLaren 129
3. BMW Sauber 117
4. Renault 41
5. Toyota 41
6. Toro Rosso 27
7. Red Bull 26
8. Williams 17
9. Honda 14

Vettel, the youngest pole sitter on pole for Italian GP

The Toro Rosso driver, Sebastian Vettel was on pole for Italian GP. He is the youngest pole sitter in the history of Formula 1. Last season he also set the record for the youngest driver to score points. What a great talent by Vettel in the wet circuit. The full classification as below:

1. S. Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:37.555
2. H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:37.631
3. M. Webber Red Bull 1:38.117
4. S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:38.445
5. N. Rosberg Williams 1:38.767
6. F. Massa Ferrari 1:38.894
7. J. Trulli Toyota 1:39.152
8. F. Alonso Renault 1:39.751
9. T. Glock Toyota 1:39.787
10. N. Heidfeld BMW 1:39.906
11. R. Kubica BMW 1:36.697
12. G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:36.698
13. D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:37.284
14. K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:37.522
15. L. Hamilton McLaren 1:39.265
16. R. Barrichello Honda 1:36.510
17. N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:36.630
18. K. Nakajima Williams 1:36.653
19. J. Button Honda 1:37.006
20. A. Sutil Force India F1 1:37.417

Image from F1 Fanatic Blog

Raikkonen staying at Ferrari until 2010

On Friday 12th of September, Raikkonen signed the contract as a Ferrari driver until 2010. With this news, Ferrari drivers' lineup will remain unchanged for the coming two seasons.

1st Micro FourThird camera: Lumix DMC-G1

The new age is here now, as Olympus and Panasonic announced the new Micro FourThird standard, all amazed on how small the camera will be, plus the capability of a SLR, minus the mirror for the viewfinder.

Micro FourThird standard eliminate the use of the mirror for framing through the viewfinder. This is replaced by the electronic viewfinder.


The launched of the Lumix DMC-G1, the first Micro FourThird camera on 12th Sept will demonstrate the new standard to the world for the first time. Offered in three colours: blue, red and black, the Lumix G1 is smaller than its' brother, the Lumix L10. The lens only smaller compared to the conventional SLR lens. Panasonic called this camera as a digital interchangeable lens camera as it doesn't have the mirror as the SLR.

Lumix DMC-L10 compared to Lumix DMC-G1: Top view

Lumix FZ18, Lumix DMC-G1 and Lumix DMC-L10

Other features such as below:

• 12.1 effective Megapixel Live MOS sensor; same size as on a regular FourThirds camera
• Micro FourThirds lens mount, with 2X focal length conversion ratio
• First two lenses to be announced are the F3.5-5.6, 14 - 45 mm and F4.0-5.6, 45 - 200 mm lenses; both have image stabilization
• Lenses coming in 2009 include: F4.0, 7 - 14 mm, F1.7, 20 mm, and F4.0-5.6, 14 - 140 mm OIS
• Supports regular FourThirds lenses via the optional DMW-MA1 adapter
• World's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera (according to Panasonic)
  • Body is 4.9 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches in size, weighs 385 g; compare that to the Olympus E-420, which is 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 inches and 380 g
  • Will come in three colors: black, blue, and red
• Venus Engine HD image processor
• Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system
• Since there's no mirror inside the camera, it's live view only on the DMC-G1
  • You get 100% field-of-view, customizable displays, and preview of shutter speed and aperture adjustments
  • Flip-out, rotating 3-inch LCD display has 460,000 pixels
  • Super high resolution electronic viewfinder has an unbelievable 1.44 million pixels and 1.4x magnification
  • Shooting info is displayed on the main LCD when you're using the EVF; when you put your eye to the viewfinder, the LCD shuts automatically
• Full manual controls, plus Intelligent Auto Mode (complete with face detection and auto scene selection)
• 23-point contrast detect autofocus system with speeds that rival traditional phase difference AF
• Camera can take 7 RAW and an unlimited number of JPEGs at 3 frames/second
• Hot shoe for external flash
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Ports include USB 2.0 High Speed, HDMI, and remote control
• Uses DMW-BLB13 lithium-ion battery; 350 shots per charge with the EVF, and 330 with the LCD
• Will ship with the 14 - 45 mm lens this November; pricing to be announced next month

Source: Dpreview | Dcresource

Leica D-Lux 4 in French magazine

The replacement model for the aging Leica D-Lux 3 just leaked in a French magazine, Chasseur d'Images (number 307 page 12). The model is equivalent to the amazing Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The only difference is the design of the body and the branding in which as a Leica, it's quite known and expensive than Panasonic.

Source: Wired | SeriousCompacts

New photos using my new Lumix LX3

Some of the new photos uploaded to my flickr page. The two photos of the Lumix LX3 was shot using Nikon Coolpix 5000 aka my old camera.

I just bought the Lumix LX3 on last Friday for 1600 ringgit Malaysia plus 4GB memory, camera case and LCD protector. I'm still in negotiation for the price of the leather case specially designed for LX3 and a second battery for the camera. Estimated cost 300ringgit.

Hope I can get lower price.

1. Lumix LX3 box, 2. LX3 test macro, 3. LX3 test shot potrait, 4. LX3 test shot macro 1, 5. LX3 test shot macro 2, 6. LX3 test shot macro 3 - tv aerial, 7. LX3 test shot - mirrorred, 8. my new Lumix LX3 3 of 3, 9. my new Lumix LX3 1 of 3

3 Penyakit Hati penggugat amalan baik

Kandungan dari petikan Berita Harian "Mengenali sifat seorang penghuni syurga", oleh Ibrahim Abdullah.

Menurut Rasulullah SAW, terdapat tiga penyakit yang akan menghancurkan amalan baik seseorang iaitu:

1. Takbur atau sombong.

Imam al-Ghazali dalam kitab 'Ihya Ulumuddin' berkata, takbur akan menjadi batas pemisah antara seseorang dengan kemuliaan akhlak. Orang takbur akan selalu mendustakan kebenaran, menganggap rendah orang lain dan meninggikan dirinya.

Sedikit saja di hati ada sikap takbur, maka syurga akan menjauh, amalan tidak mempunyai erti. Rasulullah SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: “Tidak akan masuk syurga seseorang yang dalam hatinya ada sikap takbur walaupun sebesar debu.” (Hadis riwayat Muslim)

2. Hasad atau iri hati (dengki).

Ciri khas seorang pendengki adalah adanya rasa tidak rela melihat orang lain mendapat nikmat dan sangat berharap nikmat itu segera lenyap daripadanya. Ia susah melihat orang lain senang dan senang melihat orang lain susah.

Dengki sangat berkesan menghancurkan kebaikan. Rasulullah SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: “Dengki itu dapat memakan kebaikan sebagaimana api memakan kayu bakar.” (Hadis riwayat Abu Daud dan Ibnu Majah)

3. Riak atau beramal kerana mengharap pujian orang lain.

Riak adalah tingkatan terendah daripada amalan. Rasulullah SAW menyebutnya syirik kecil yang juga boleh menghapuskan kebaikan. Allah tidak akan menerima suatu amalan yang dalamnya ada seberat debu saja perasaan riak.

Hadis qudsi mengungkapkan bagaimana murkanya Allah kepada orang yang riak dalam amalannya. Pada hari kiamat Allah berfirman, ketika semua manusia melihat catatan amalannya, “Pergilah kamu semua kepada apa yang kamu jadikan harapan (riak) di dunia. Lihatlah apakah kamu semua memperoleh balasan daripada mereka.” (Hadis riwayat Ahmad dan Baihaqi)

Firman Allah yang bermaksud: “Maka kecelakaanlah bagi orang yang solat (iaitu) orang yang lalai dari solatnya dan orang berbuat riak.” (Surah al-Maa'um, ayat 4 - 6)

Selain dari kita membersihkan anggota fizikal kita dari kekotoran dengan mandi dan memakai pakaian yang bersih lagi harum, jangan dilupa pada kebersihan hati nurani kita. Hati yang bersih penting agar kita dapat beribadah dengan baik dan jauh dari murka Allah SWT serta amalan kita itu dapat diterima oleh Allah.

Justeru, amalan seseorang menggambarkan kebersihan hati nurani kerana sifat ujub, takbur, dengki dan rasa dendam menyebabkan halangan serta gangguan untuk seseorang itu menjadi penghuni syurga.

Colors of the new iPod nano - yellow looks great

Some of the colors offered for the newly launched iPod nano. I choose yellow.

photos from Apple.com

New iPod nano launched

As expected from the widely spread rumours on the internet, Steve Jobs today unveiled the new iPod nano in the Let's Rock event. Also announced the 120GB only iPod classic, iPod Touch 2.1, iPhone 2.1 firmware, some accessories, iTunes 8 and games for iPod Touch and iPhone.

The new taller iPod nano come with 8GB and 16GB capacity, accelerometer, shake to shuffle, Genius playlist, new better headphones and voice recordable if any mic detected on the iPod nano. It's also environmental friendly and come with 8 colours (silver, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red and pink).


source: various, picture from Gizmodo

New full frame Sony Alpha A900

Sony just launched it's awaited flagship d-slr, the full-frame Alpha A900. We've seen the spyshots and teaser's on the net. But now it's official. Below are the main features of the camera:

• 24.6 effective Megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor
• Alpha lens mount supports all Sony and Minolta lenses with no focal length conversion to deal with
  • The one exception is with DT lens, which are designed for APS-C sensors; the resolution must be lowered to 11MP when using these lenses; 1.5x focal length conversion ratio applies; there may be vignetting in the viewfinder
• Sensor-shift image stabilization (the first full-frame camera to have this feature) offers 2.5 - 4 stops of usable shutter speed
• Ultra-rugged magnesium alloy body is sealed against moisture; shutter rated to 100,000 cycles
• Dual Bionz image processors
• Super high resolution 3-inch LCD display (921,600 pixel)
• Large pentaprism optical viewfinder with 0.74x magnification and 100% field-of-view
• Dust reduction system
• Camera does not support live view; there is an intelligent preview mode that takes a sample photo and lets you see the effect of changing the exposure, white balance, and dynamic range on the LCD
• No built-in flash; one can be attached via the hot shoe or flash sync port
• Full manual controls, supports both compressed and uncompressed RAW files
• Can take about 14 RAW images (and a lot more JPEGs) at 5 frames/second
• 9-point autofocus system with 10 assist points, plus a dual center cross sensor for fast lenses
• Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) feature lets you brighten dark areas of your photos automatically
• HDMI port
• Optional battery grip
• Uses NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery; 880 shots per charge

resource: dcresource

Digital Camera Magazine Master Series

Digital Camera Magazine - Master Colour
3.05MB

Digital Camera Magazine - Master Composition

6.28MB

Digital Camera Magazine - Master Exposure

2.46 MB

Digital Camera Magazine - Master Light
2.8MB

I'm cluttered!!

Your Mind is 61% Cluttered

Your mind is quite cluttered.
And like most clutter, it's a bunch of crap you don't need.
Try writing down your worst problems and fears.
And then put them out of your mind for a while.

How Cluttered is Your Mind?

a quiz from Blogthings

Sunsets

Just added to my flickr page..

Nikon D-SLR Comparison Guide

The Nikon D-SLR Comparison Guide was publish by the Nikon USA to show the comparison between the Nikon's D-SLR camera, lenses and other accessories. This is a good reading material as it will help you understand the camera and other accessories and will help you choose the right camera and hopefully you'll get the most out of the camera you bought.

Nikon D-SLR Comparison

Two arrows and 2 cars

This photo was captured from my apartment's window on 5th floor. Nikon Coolpix 5000. I'm also planning on getting the new Lumix LX3 a couple of weeks from now. If I could before the Eidul Fitri. I'm so excited! For more size, go to my flickr page.

New Nikon D90

On 27th August, about two weeks past, Nikon officially launched the new Nikon D90 with the most excited feature, the movie recording in high definition. This has put the SLR experience to another level. Now photographer can record creative videos with different angle based on the lens they use. Focusing were done manually and lots more features that will make you fall in love with this camera. For more info you can go to the official site of Nikon D90.

The spec as below:

• 12.3 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor
• Supports all Nikkor F-mount lenses, with a 1.5X focal length conversion ratio
• 3-inch LCD display with 920,000 pixels
• Optical viewfinder has a 0.94x magnification
• Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection
• Full manual controls, with ISO range of 200 - 3200, expandable to 100 - 6400
• 11-point autofocus system with 3D tracking
• Can take up to 100 JPEGs in a row at 4.5 frames/sec (not sure about RAW yet)
• Can record "D-movies" at 1280 x 720 (720p) at 24 fps, with sound
  • The time limit for a single 720p movie is around 5 minutes
  • Lower resolutions are available, with longer recording times
  • As you'd expect, the zoom and focus must be operated manually once recording starts
  • Movies are saved in AVI format, using the M-JPEG codec
• Built-in wireless flash support
• Dust reduction system
• Other features include Active D-Lighting, distortion control, image straightening
• HDMI out port for connection to an HDTV
• Optional GPS unit allows for easy geotagging; the GP-1 ships in November, pricing TBD
• Uses EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery; 850 shots per charge
• Includes new F3.5-5.6, 18 - 105 mm ED VR lens; lens will be available separately for $399
• Ships next month for $999 body only, or $1299 with the 18 - 105 mm lens

Resources: DPreview, DCResource

Massa won Belgian Grand Prix

image from pitpass.com

Last weekend's race at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium has won by Massa despite finishing 2nd on grid as the results of drive thru penalty given to the on-track winner Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton got the penalty after he skipped a chicane during the battle with Kimi Raikkonen. Kimi Raikkonen however didn't finish the race after he hit the wall on the last 2 laps to the finish. Heidfeld on the other hand, goes from zero to hero with 2nd on the podium after Hamilton was penalised. This is resulted from the intermediate tire change at the end of lap 3.

The battle for the drivers' championship were now focused on Hamilton and Massa with 5 races more to go until the season ends.

The results:

1. Massa Ferrari
2. Heidfeld BMW Sauber
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
4. Alonso Renault
5. Vettel Toro Rosso
6. Kubica BMW Sauber
7. Bourdais Toro Rosso
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault
9. Glock Toyota
10. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes
11. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault
12. Rosberg Williams
13. Sutil Force India
14. Nakajima Williams
15. Button Honda
16. Trulli Toyota
17. Fisichella Force India
18. Raikkonen Ferrari

Retired:

• Barrichello Honda
• Piquet Renault

Drivers' Championship Points:

1. Lewis Hamilton 76
2. Felipe Massa 74
3. Robert Kubica 58
4. Kimi Räikkönen 57
5. Nick Heidfeld 49
6. Heikki Kovalainen 43
7. Jarno Trulli 26
8. Fernando Alonso 23

Constructors' Championship Points:

1. Ferrari 131
2. McLaren-Mercedes 119
3. BMW Sauber 107
4. Toyota 41
5. Renault 36
6. Red Bull-Renault 25
7. Williams-Toyota 17
8. STR-Ferrari 17