Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Michael Gazzola: In the latest instalment of the 4/3rds interchangeable lens GF series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 improves in almost all areas on the two previous GF models, including RRP. In a tight 4/3rds market dominated by three companies we were very keen to see how the GF3 stacked up and what it offered as a point of difference. On the web there is a fair amount of hype, but when Panasonic offered the camera to be reviewed we took it on as a perfect opportunity leading into Christmas to put it through its paces and see just how read the review...

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Michael Gazzola: When the offer came to look over the PEN mini E-PM1, it was an easy decision considering we’d previously reviewed the E-PL1 and E-PL3 and awarded them both Platinum medals. But when the newest entry to the PEN line up is announced as the smallest and most affordable PEN, the task of maintaining a Platinum level, you would think, might become a harder task. Let’s start with the cosmetics; the paint job. There are six options now (2 more than the E-PL3) with purple, silver, black pink, chocolate and white. Comparing... read the review

Olympus PEN E-PL3 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Michael Gazzola: It’s been just 18 months since Olympus formally announced the E-PL1 and a little over 12 months since we published our review on the E-PL1, where the camera was awarded a Platinum medal. Today we post our review of the E-PL3 single-lens kit, M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm IIR lens and FL-300R System Flash. At a quick glance of the front you’ll notice the E-PL3 has shaken off the hand grip and gone for a more streamlined, less cluttered clean look and is available in 4 colours from Black, Silver, Red and White. The ART filters... read the review

Sony a35 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Michael Gazzola: Sony has a long history of releasing cool electronic items and firsts in technology. In recent times Sony releases a translucent DSLR mirror and now the a35 has been lucky enough to score this technology. This new DSRL(T) is a pretty sharp little unit packed with plenty of features. This review is based on the body / single lens kit, [http://www.sony.com.au/product/slt-a35k]. The a35 promises a ton, from 12,800 ISO to 3D Sweep Panorama, to Picture Effect and Full HD recording. As with previous models in the a33 and a55... read the review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Michael Gazzola: If you’re working in the middle of construction site, trekking through mountainous ranges, or just the type of person who’s not fussed to let the kids play with your digital camera… then the camera in your pocket is likely to be tough. The ‘tough’ segment is small with the mix consisting of the Olympus Tough 8010, Sony TX10 and Panasonic’s FT3 digital camera rounding out the main three. As with each new model car that hits the road, Panasonic too with the upgrade from the FT2 to the FT3 in the still camera segment have... read the review

Olympus E-5 DSLR Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Michael Gazzola: It’s been 3 ½ years since Olympus launched the E-3 and showed the world it could mix it with the big boys in the professional playground. At the time, the E-3 was great leap forward for Olympus, earning a Gold medal in our review for their mantle back at HQ. Today, we review E-3’s successor in the E-5 and critique just how far the camera has come and what you can expect for a lazy $2,199 (rrp body only) …already $300 cheaper to begin with! Let me begin by saying there are many things to like about this camera, but I could help... read the review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Simon Vrantsis: Progressing from tempting alternative to one of the market leaders in the compact camera industry over the last five years, Panasonic can attribute much of this to its TZ range of cameras, which consumers felt was the perfect travel companion. Much vaunted for its combination of ease of use and innovation, Panasonic has always been at the front of the pack when it came to groundbreaking features such as GPS. Although Panasonic has delivered solid and consistent image quality with its TZ series, they have...read the review

Olympus XZ-1 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Simon Vrantsis: In recent years, Olympus seems to have gone down the path of an unhealthy reliance on their waterproof ‘tough’ range of cameras. But now, a pronounced shift to a more balanced approach to their compact camera range has become apparent, pioneered by the classically beautiful XZ-1, Olympus’ entry into the advanced compact market. The XZ-1 is fitted with a 10-megapixel CCD sensor that produces a high level of sensitivity and an ISO performance that isn’t normally seen from an average compact camera. Paired with a... read the review

Nikon D7000 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Simon Vrantsis: When Nikon launch its D90 some two and a half years ago, it implemented many aspects that have now become expected from the prosumer market. Outstanding low light performance combined with speed and efficiency in auto focusing and metering could only be found in the professional and semi-pro range of DSLR but the D90 made it affordable, sacrificing things that many photographers wouldn’t notice in day-to-day use. It also pioneered the now common trend of HD movies in all DSLRs and has also had an untold... read the review

Samsung NX100 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Simon Vrantsis: Samsung has been quoted as having a plan to dominate the photographic industry. No doubt, though, if all the players in the industry were asked, they would all have dreams of making it to the top in one form or another. But for those relatively new to the photographic game, there are usually two paths to take, a traditional approach or an innovative one. With their initial endeavors falling short of the mark, Samsung has most definitely chosen the less classical tact with most recent releases, whether that be in there compact... read the review

Canon S95 Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review by: Simon Vrantsis: Just like a first impression of someone walking down the street in a business suit, it’s very easy to overlook and underestimate the depths of the Canon PowerShot S95 at a brief glance. The unassuming advanced compact from Canon opts for substance well over style, even though some may indeed prefer the classy business-like approach to its design over the alternative anyway. Overall, what we have here is a top 3 compact-camera of 2010; if not the best. Fitted with an intelligently chosen 10-megapixel CCD... read the review

TTV, Digital And A Waist Level Viewfinder

Site Contributor: Andrew Parmi: Through The Viewfinder (TTV) is a technique which marries a DSLR with an old viewfinder camera, allowing the DSLR to capture the image shown through the viewfinder screen. The end result is an image with a retro or nostalgic mood. This tutorial will show you how to create unique images without spending a ridiculous amount of money on new equipment. he first thing you need is an old viewfinder camera. Kodak Duaflex or Ansco Rediflex are ideal and are readily available through eBay or other online auction sites, as... read the article

The Benefits of Disassembling Images

Site Contributor: Shelton Muller: With this editorial, we introduce a new photo-educational segment to Buy-n-Shoot.com.  Each editorial will contain an image by Shelton Muller and a breakdown of how it was achieved… This image was part of a two-day wedding photography workshop run by Creative Photo Workshops. While a dynamic image, it is not difficult to set up or achieve. But certain simple steps need to be assured. (click the image for a larger version) The first port of call is the unique location. Hosier Lane in Melbourne is well known among photographers as a great... read the article

Working In Bright Sunlight

Site Contributor: Shelton Muller: Sometimes it is the simplicity of an image that grabs our attention, just like this one. At first glance it is a simple portrait of an African man with a blue baseball cap leaning on a white wall.  But for some reason, it got your attention. Such are the benefits of disassembling an image to see why they work. Usually, it is all in the details, the nuances, the small things. So, let’s have a look at this image. Let’s take it apart to see why it succeeds. First of all, a little background might be necessary. This image was taken in Durban, South Africa... read the article

Handling Non-Raw Files

Site Contributor: David Harradine: A raw file is a digital cameras raw response to light, with no further processing, colour encoding, sharpening, noise reduction or tone compensation. So the only camera settings that affect the Raw file are Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO. A Jpeg or Tiff file from a digital camera is a rendered RGB file that has been produced from a raw file at some stage. Either in camera if it was set to jpeg or tiff or on the computer, if the raw file was preserved. One of the many benefits of working with Raw files as opposed to rendered RGB... read the article