Double DIWA Gold for Nikon : DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating websites, announces two prestigious DIWA Gold Awards, to the semi-professional Nikon D300 and the Nikon D60 consumer D-SLR. The Nikon D60 receives its gold award for excellent image quality, ergonomic design and useful features. Its 10 Megapixels high quality image sensor, outstanding image processing performance, and an innovative and effective anti-dust system, Nikon delivers a powerful combination making the D60 a striking consumer system camera. In addition, the camera is equipped with active D-Lighting and Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED processor technology, enabling image processing on a high level for a optimum results.
Nikon D60 scores DIWA Gold Award
Nikon’s bundling of innovation, user-friendliness and advanced technologies makes the D60 a powerful consumer D-SLR realising high image quality for the crowd. A second DIWA Gold Award was announced to Nikon’s prestigious system camera, the Nikon D300. Thanks to excellent ergonomics, top specified functions, and high quality innovative technologies, the Nikon D300 meets the demands of both professionals and serious amateurs.

DIWA Gold Award for Nikon D300
A first class 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor is supported by a powerful EXPEED processor, a new CAM3500DX AF sensor, 14-bit A/D converter, wide sensitivity range including ISO 6400, all working in perfect harmony for unsurpassed image quality and camera performance. To complete the package, the Nikon D300 is equipped with a high resolution 3-inch Live View monitor.

DIWA Labs test conclusion explained by Kai Thon
Test Manager of DIWA Labs, Kai Thon, comments: “For many years, Nikon have been an industry leader in technological developments, but in recent months they have displayed elevations larger than ever, most of them included in models like the D60 and the D300. Computer-based analytic test results from our sophisticated DIWA Labs and expert reviews from DIWA member websites unanimously conclude that both models are highly competitive in either market segment”.

About DIWA
The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) is a fast growing group of independent Web-based specialist publications dedicated to digital imaging. DIWA harnesses the collective talent and expertise of its members, resulting in industry awards that command unparalleled confidence and value, both for consumers and the industry alike. DIWA awards come in the form of bronze, silver and gold medals for various product categories.

DIWA Test scoring procedure
DIWA product test awards are exclusively decided through the analysis of multiple test scores from different DIWA testers, testing different samples of the same product. A very detailed and comprehensive standardized scoring procedure is employed, tailored carefully for each category of product. Multiple testing eliminates the chance of an isolated, unrepresentative product sample or test error or a hidden bias from affecting the trustworthiness of the overall result. DIWA is also unique in its policy in issuing awards for deserving products throughout the year, culminating in annual best of the year Platinum medal awards in all product categories.

DIWA Awards members
• Czech Republic: www.fotoaparat.cz
• Germany: www.digitalkamera.de
• Hungary: www.fotovilag.hu
• Netherlands: www.letsgodigital.org
• Norway: www.digit.no
• Poland: www.fotopolis.pl
• Slovenia: www.e-fotografija.com
• Spain: www.nuevafotografia.com
• United Kingdom: www.photographyblog.com

DIWA multi-lingual Web site
At the heart of the DIWA organisation is its multi-lingual Web site, www.diwa-awards.com, with links to the latest reviews published by DIWA member publications. The site also archives DIWA awards and is designed to aid consumers in their choice of imaging products. Unbiased test results by DxO Analyzer of the image quality are available at: www.diwa-labs.com.

Source: www.letsgodigital.org

read more from " Double DIWA Gold for Nikon "

Canon and Nikon have both announced updated firmware, so we thought we’d bring you an update of updates that have been issued in 2008, just in case you missed them. Canon has issued new firmware for the 40D, following an earlier release for the 30D. Nikon’s D40 also gets a tweak, following updates for the D300 and D80 earlier in the year.

Canon’s 40D update (to version 1.0.8), fixes the following issues:

1.Fixes a phenomenon in which Image Stabilization operation emits a sound when certain buttons are pressed, with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens attached to the camera.
2.Fixes a phenomenon in which the Image Stabilization operation emits a sound from the lens when IS lenses are attached to the camera.
3.Fixes a phenomenon in which a part of the image looks unnatural when reviewed on the LCD.
4.Corrects errors in the Spanish and Norwegian menu screens.

You can download the file here

Nikon’s D40 update (to version 1.11), address the following issues:

Shooting times were not always accurately recorded within the image data for images captured in bursts of continuous shooting.

You can download the file here

Other 2008 updates include revised firmware for:

Nikon
D300 (to version 1.02)
D80 (to version 1.10)

Canon
30D (to version 1.0.6)
5D (to version 1.1.1)

Olympus
E510 (to version 1.3)
E3 (to version 1.1)

Sigma
SD14 (to version 1.07)

Source: www.dpreview.com

read more from " Canon and Nikon fix firmware for forties "

Our detailed in-depth review of the Nikon D300. The replacement to the venerable D200 features a twelve megapixel CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion and sensitivity up to ISO 6400. But that’s just the start of the story, there’s a high resolution three inch monitor, HDMI video output, a new AF sensor and lots of ‘under the hood’ features such as intelligent scene recognition and automatic CA reduction. See how the D300 performed and how it compares to the competition in our thirty-three page review.

Source: www.dpreview.com

read more from " Just posted! Nikon D300 review "

It doesn’t take much of a camera to capture a simple snapshot. But what if you spot a little girl in the park standing amid a flock of startled pigeons? Or you’re photographing the unpredictable twirls of dancers on a stage? Or you’re shooting travel scenes in bright, contrasty mid-day sun? For that you need a special camera.

And to prove that the new 10.1-megapixel Olympus E-3 is a special camera that can handle just about anything a setting can dish out, Olympus invited me and other members of the photographic press to Puerto Rico in early November for several days of hands-on evaluation.

A full test of the E-3 ($1,700, estimated street, body only) is now underway in the Pop Photo Lab, and we’ll give you the numbers as soon as the data is certified. But in the meantime, let me offer some thoughts on how the E-3 fares in the field.

Fast Thinking

That photo op with the little girl and the pigeons was exactly what I faced as I walked around Ponce, the quiet port city on Puerto Rico’s southern Caribbean coast. With the E-3 hanging on my shoulder, I literally had just enough time to swing it up and shoot before the girl, the birds, and the opportunity were gone.

This is where the camera’s new autofocus system really proved itself. A far cry from the slow and fairly crude AF system on 2003′s E-1, the E-3′s AF system is as fast as it is unique.

There are 11 AF points clustered around the center of the screen where Olympus engineers have determined that most subjects appear (surprise!). While the E-3 won’t win for sheer AF-point quantity (that distinction belongs to the Nikon D300, with 51 points), each of the E-3′s 11 points has a twin that is offset by half a pixel. The result: thorough coverage and super sensitivity. The little girl in my shot is tack sharp, with the focus right where I wanted it.

Source: www.popphoto.com

read more from " Field Report: Olympus E-3 "

Nikon, obviously realizing that many users of its previous flagship DSLR will be migrating to its successors, has made available ‘Picture Controls’ aiming to emulate the color reproduction of the D2X(s) on the new D3 and D300. There are three such controls, mirroring the original color modes I to III. These settings may be used as a base point to add further tweaks and should prove a major time-saver to photographers wishing to upgrade their camera bodies and continue with their existing workflow. The Picture Controls are available now via Nikon’s website, links after the jump.

Download links:

• Nikon D300 (Mac OS)
• Nikon D300 (Windows)
• Nikon D3 (Mac OS)
• Nikon D3 (Windows)

Source: www.dpreview.com

read more from " Nikon D3 and d300 now support ‘D2X mode’ "