HardwareZOne have compared the 10 megapixel DSLR cameras; Nikon D80 and Sony A100. Here’s what they say about picture quality from both cameras;

“Commanding a higher price, you can expect the D80 to deliver better photos and it rightly did so in our tests. Our comparison images showed that the D80 has better noise (grain) control at higher ISO settings over the Sony A100. It is no surprise that the D80 faired well in this comparison since it is almost similar to the mid-range D200 brother in many aspects. If we had to nitpick on both the Nikon D80 and Sony A100, it has to be their auto white balance management. In our day test shots, the colors on the photos for both cameras were a little off. The Nikon D80 for some strange reason produces images that are a little underexposed. In most of the comparison day shots, images were a little darker compared to the Sony A100 even though they were shot at the same exposure settings.”

>> Nikon D80 Review Roundup & Sample Photos
>> Sony A100 Review Roundup & Sample Photos

CameraLabs has done some tests comparing the 10 megapixel DSLR cameras: Nikon D80 Vs Sony A100 Vs Canon EOS 400D/Rebel Xti.

Here’s the verdict;
“In many group tests a clear leader emerges to win, and while the Nikon D80 is arguably the best in traditional photographic respects, the Canon and Sony are both cheaper and boast compelling features it’s lacking. Ultimately once you take price, performance and features all into consideration, it’s impossible to single out one as being best for everyone. All three are quite different propositions, and the goal of this feature has been to highlight aspects where each excels, allowing you to choose the one which best suits your kind of photography and budget.”

>> VIDEO TOUR

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Sony has recently released its DSLR-A100 latest firmware. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Firmware Ver 1.01 will Address the symptom that in very rare cases, RAW format files may not be opened by the supplied image control software, Picture Motion Browser, Improve image gradation when the shutter speed is 1 sec or longer, and Improve printed picture quality when the image is printed by Epson(R) printer under PRINT Image Matching.

>> Download Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Firmware Ver 1.01.

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 is a very slim 6 megapixel (CCD) point-and-shoot digital camera (released on 01.11.06) with 3x optical zoom, lens-shift optical stabilizer and 2.5″ LCD screen. The camera is available from January 2006 with the retail price of around US$450

Sony CyberShot DSC-T9 Hottest Deals

>> REVIEWS (last updated: 02.08.06)

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DCViews have recently published a side by side comparison of Sony Cybershot DSC H5 and Canon Powershot S3 IS. Here’s what they have to say about the image quality;

“Sony Cybershot DSC H5 Sharpness: With 7 Mp and a Carl Zeiss lens the camera captures a lot of detail. The in-camera sharpening is moderate but delivers crisp pictures. The Super Steady Shot does a good job for handheld shots. In spite of the noise reduction enough detail is kept at ISO 400. Canon Powershot S3 IS Sharpness: The S3 has one megapixel less than the H5 and in some situations detail is a bit less than with the H5. The default sharpening in the camera is a bit high, but can be adjusted by the user.”

>> Canon PowerShot S3 IS Latest Price
>> Canon PowerShot S3 IS Review Roundup & Sample Photos
>> Sony CyberShot DSC-H5 Latest Price
>> Sony CyberShot DSC-H5 Review Roundup & Sample Photos

Steve’sDigicams have published a review of the Sony Cyber-shot H5, a point-and-shoot digital camera with 7.0 megapixel (6.0 mp for H2) CCD sensor, a huge 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 36 - 432mm), and 2.5″ LCD screen display.

“The autofocus system delivered consistently sharp images. It uses a 3-area multi point system, or you can use a single point and position it virtually anywhere in your composition. With the help of its AF-assist lamp, the H5 was able to autofocus very reliably in conditions of low ambient light; in complete darkness, the maximum range of the AF-assist lamp was about 12 feet. AF was effective in low light even in the telephoto range of the H5’s zoom lens. Manual focus is a feature missing from most consumer digicams, and for good reasons. “

>> Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 Review Roundup & Samples
>> Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 Latest Price

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CamerasUK have recently published a review of the Sony CyberShot DSC-W70, a 7.20 megapixel CCD sensor point-and-shoot digital camera with 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 38 - 114mm ), and 2.5″ LCD screen display.

“As is typical of Sony digital cameras the DSC W70 copes well with the reduced lighting levels of the indoor portrait. The camera produces another sharp photo and gets the brightness levels right too. The drawback of the photo is the level of red eye that you can see. This is despite the fact that red eye reduction was switched on for the shot…The menu system is one of my favourites and you can soon find the options you are looking for. Most of the key controls are at your fingertips on the back or on the top of the camera. “

>> Sony CyberShot DSC-W70 Latest Price
>> Sony CyberShot DSC-W70 Review Roundup and Sample Photos

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 has been reviewed at DPInterface. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 is a 6.0 megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera with 3x optical zoom (31-93mm) and and 2″ LCD screen.

“The Sony Cyber-shot S600 produces smooth and clean photos at ISO 80 and ISO 100 - Quite common for most cameras. Noise goes visible at ISO 200 and up again slightly at ISO 400. At ISO 400, things are far more acceptable on the Sony Cyber-shot S600 versus the Canon A430 and Panasonic LS2. The Sony Cyber-shot S600 produces noisier photos are ISO 800 but the workaround is either to downsize or reduce noise using photo editing software. Noise levels are at the peak level at ISO 1000 but this is comparable to ISO 400 on the two competitors I previously mentioned.”

>> Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 Review Roundup
>> Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 Latest Price

CamerasUK have recently published a review of the Sony Cybershot DSC-H2, a 6.0 megapixel CCD sensor point-and-shoot digital camera featuring a 6.0 megapixel CCD sensor, huge 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 36 - 432mm), and a 2.5″ LCD screen display.

“There was only one type of test shot I had a problem with, with the DSC H2. This was when I tested the camera using higher ISO settings. All the other test shots scored high marks…Obviously any digital camera with this number of features is going to take a while to get to know. To be fair though the menu system used by Sony is very easy to find your way around and this helps to make the DSC H2 easier to use then it might have been.”

>> Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 Review Roundup & Sample Photos
>> Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 Hottest Deals

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ImagingResource have posted a hands-on preview of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100, Sony’s first Digital SLR camera with 10.2 MP CCD sensor featuring CCD-shift dust reduction mechanism, CCD-Shift ‘Super SteadyShot’ system, 3 fps, up to 6 frames RAW shooting and 2.5″ LCD screen.

“Fit and finish were excellent, ergonomics were very good, and the shots we captured with it were impressive. Resolution and color were excellent, and the anti-shake system seemed to work very well. The only weak point we found at all was somewhat high noise levels at ISO 1600, but that could easily be a result of lower-grade sensors used for the prototypes. I think it’s safe to say that there’s a lot to look forward to with such an innovative and significant force entering the SLR market, apparently with a vengeance. We think the Sony A100 will be very popular, giving the Canon Digital Rebel XT and Nikon D70 a serious run for the money.”

>> Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Hottest Price
>> Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 - Review Roundup & Sample Photos

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