Canon EOS 550D; a dream camera

Posted by on Apr 30, 2010 in GADGET | 0 comments

IF YOU are an amateur photographer who’s grown tired of the limitations of your entry level DSLR camera, you may consider upgrading to a mid-range DSLR.

The Canon EOS 550D fits that description nicely and it comes with a slew of drool worthy features such as the 18-megapixel resolution that it inherits from the higher-end EOS 7D.


From the outset, the 550D looks and feels like its predecessor the EOS 500D. It’s a very lightweight camera even with its supplied 18-55mm kit lens mounted. This makes it great for travel. Certainly, it’s better than lugging a bigger DSLR camera around on your travels.

The 550D feels great in the hand with a nice rubber grip providing ample room to hold the camera firmly. On the downside though, the grip may be too small for users with large hands.

The 3in LCD screen serves well for framing shots in Live View mode as well when recording videos. The screen’s refresh rate is very smooth so it looks almost as good as you would see it on the viewfinder.

Control-wise, the the 550D is similar to the 500D. The button layout remains the same but gone are the small rounded buttons, which are now replaced by larger square buttons that are easier to press.

Type
Type Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera
Recording medium SD, SDHC and SDXC card
Compatible lenses Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
Lens Mount Canon EF mount
Image Sensor
Type CMOS sensor
Effective Pixels Approx. 18.00 megapixels
Image Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9mm
Aspect ratio 3:2
Dust deletion feature Auto, Manual, Dust Delete Data appending
Recording System
Recording format Design rule for Camera File System 2.0
Image type JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon original)
RAW + JPEG simultaneous recording possible
MOV
Recording pixels Large: Approx. 17.90 megapixels (5184 x 3456)
Medium: Approx. 8.00 megapixels (3456 x 2304)
Small: Approx. 4.50 megapixels (2592 x 1728)
RAW: Approx. 17.90 megapixels (5184 x 3456)
File numbering Consecutive numbering, auto reset and manual reset
Imaging Processor
Picture Style Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1-3
White Balance Auto (AWB), daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten, light, white fluorescent light, flash, custom (custom WB)
Noise Reduction Applicable to long exposures and high ISO speed shots
Automatic Image Brightness Correction Auto Lighting Optimizer with Face Detection
Highlight Tone Priority Provided
Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction Provided
Colour Space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Appending copyright information Copyright information entered with the camera is appended to the image EXIF information
Viewfinder
Type Eye-level pentamirror
Coverage Vertical / Horizontal approx. 95%
Magnification Approx. 0.87x (-1m -1 with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint Approx. 19mm (From eyepiece lens center at -1m-1)
Built-in dioptric adjustment -3.0 – +1.0m -1dpt
Focusing screen Fixed
Mirror Quick-return type
Depth-of-field preview Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Autofocus
Type TTL secondary image-registration, phase detection
AF Points 9
AF Working Range EV -0.5 – 18 (at 23°C / 73°F, ISO 100)
Focusing Modes Autofocus, One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing
AF-assist beam Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Effective range: Approx. 4.0m / 13.1ft. at center, approx 3.5m / 11.5ft at periphery (with an EOS-dedicated Speedlite attached, the Speedlite’s AF-assist beam is emitted instead)
Predictive AF performance Tracking of an object moving towards the camera at 50km/h possible up to a minimum distance of approx. 10m.
* When used with EF300mm F2.8L IS USM
Exposure Control
Metering Modes TTL full aperture metering with 63-zone SPC
(1) Evaluative metering (linkable to all AF points)
(2) Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center)
(3) Spot metering (center, approx. 4% viewfinder)
(4) Center-weighted average metering
Metering range EV 1 – 20 (at 23°C / 73°F with EF50mm f/1.4 lens, ISO 100)
Exposure control Program AE, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, depth-of-field AE, full auto (Program AE non-shiftable), Programmed Image Control Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash OFF), manual exposure (including bulb), E-TTL II autoflash program AE (evaluative & average metering)
ISO Speed (Recommended exposure index) ISO 100 – 6400 (whole-stop increments), ISO expansion 12800.
* In Basic Zone modes, Auto ISO sets the ISO automatically within 100 – 3200
* The minimum ISO speed when (highlight tone priority) is enabled will be ISO 200
* In Creative Zones, ISO Auto’s upper limit (ISO 400 – 6400) can be set
Exposure compensation +/-5 stops in 1/3-stop or ½ stop increments, +/- 2 stops for Manual and AEB correction
AE lock Auto: Applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved
Manual: By AE lock button
Shutter
Type Electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speeds 1/4000sec. to 30secs., bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode.)
X-sync at 1/200sec.
Drive System
Drive modes Single, continuous, Self-time 10secs. Delay / Remote control, self-timer 2secs. delay, Self-timer 10secs. delay + continuous shooting (2 to 10 shots)
Continuous shooting speed Max. approx. 3.7 shots/sec.
Max. burst JPEG Large / Fine: Approx. 34 shots
RAW: Approx. 6 shots
Built in Flash
Type Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentamirror
Guide No. 13 / 43 (at ISO 100 meters / feet)
Recycle time Approx. 3secs.
Flash coverage 17mm focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 135 format)
Flash metering system E-TTL II autoflash (evaluative, average), FE lock
Live View Functions
Shooting modes Still photo shooting and movie shooting
Focusing Quick mode (Phase-difference detection) Live mode, Live face detection mode (Contrast detection) Manual focusing (5x / 10x magnification possible)
Metering modes Evaluating metering with the image sensor (still photos) / AF point-link evaluative metering Live face detection mode (movies) /Center-weighted average metering Live/quick mode (movies)
Metering range EV 0 – 20 (at 23°C / 73°F with EF50mm f/1.4 lens, ISO 100)
Movie MOV (Video: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM)
Recording size: 1920 x 1080: 24fps / 25fps / 30fps(Full HD), 1280 x 720:50fps / 60fps and 640 x 480:50fps / 60fps (SD / movie crop)
Max file size: 4GB per clip
Movie recording exposure control Program AE and Manual exposure available.
Exposure compensation of up to +/- 3 stops available.
Movie editing Cutting out first or last scene (1sec. Increments) and Movie crop possible
LCD Monitor
Type TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor
Monitor Size and Dots Wide 3in. (3:2) with approx. 1, 040,000 dots
Coverage Approx. 100%
Brightness adjustment Manual (7 levels)
Interface languages 25
Image Playback
Image Display Formats Single, Single + Info (Image-recording quality, shooting information, histogram) 4-image index, 9-image index, image rotate possible
Zoom Magnification Approx. 1.5x – 10x
Image Browsing Methods Single image, jump by 10 or 100 images, jump by screen, by shooting date, by movie, by stills
Highlight Alert Overexposed highlights blink
Movie Playback Enabled (LCD monitor, video/audio OUT, HDMI OUT – CEC compatible) Built-in speaker
Direct Printing
Compatible printers PictBridge-compatible printers
Printable images JPEG and RAW images
Print Ordering DPOF Version 1.1 compatible
Interface
Digital Terminal For personal computer communication and direct printing (Hi-Speed USB) , audio (stereo)/video output (NTSC/PAL)
HDMI Mini OUT Terminal Type C (Auto switching of resolution)
External microphone IN terminal 3.5mm dia. Stereo mini jack
Remote Control Terminal Compatible with remote control via RS-60E3
Wireless Remote Control With Remote Controller RC-1 / RC-5 / RC-6
Eye-fi card compatible
Power Source
Battery Battery Pack LP-E8 (Qty.1)
* AC power can be supplied via AC Adapter Kit ACK-E8
* With Battery Grip BG-E8 attached, 6 size-AA/LR6 batteries or 2 LP-E8 battery packs can be used
Battery Life (Based on CIPA testing standards) With viewfinder shooting: At 23°C / 73°F, approx. 550 shots.
At 0°C / 32°F, approx. 470 shots.
With Live View shooting: At 23°C / 73°F, approx. 200 shots.
At 0°C / 32°F, approx. 170 shots.
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (W X H X D) 128.8 x 97.5 x 75.3mm / 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0in.
Weight Approx. 475g / 16.8oz. (body only)
Operating Environment
Working temperature range 0°C – 40°C / 32°F – 104°F
Working humidity 85% or less
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Nokia launched; Nokia C3, Nokia C6 and Nokia E5

Posted by on Apr 29, 2010 in GADGET, INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY | 0 comments

Nokia C3

Nokia has announced three new Smart Phone: Nokia C3, Nokia C6 and Nokia E5; that designed to put better messaging and social networking tools at affordable prices.

Full Specifications:

1. DESIGN

Dimensions

  • Dimensions: 115.5 x 58.1 x 13.6 mm
  • Weight (with battery): 114 g
  • Volume: 63.2 cc

Display and user interface

  • Size: 2.4″
  • Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels (TFT)
  • 262,000 colours
  • Landscape QVGA

Keys and input methods

  • QWERTY keyboard
  • Dedicated messaging and contacts keys

Colours

  • Available colours:
    • Slate Grey
    • Golden White

Personalisation

  • Customisable home screen:
    • widgets
    • themes
    • shortcuts
    • Ringtones: AAC, eAAC+, MP3, WMA, MIDI
    • Video ringtones
    • Themes
      • wallpapers
      • ringtones
      • pre-installed themes

2. HARDWARE

Power Management

  • BL-5J 1320 mAh Li-Ion battery
  • Talk time (maximum):
    • up to 8 hours
    • Standby time (maximum):
      • up to 500 hours
    • Music playback time (offline mode, maximum): 30 hours

Memory

  • MicroSD memory card slot, hot swappable, up to 8 GB
  • Internal memory: 55 MB

Operating frequency

  • Quad band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900
  • Automatic switching between GSM bands
  • Flight mode

Data network

  • GPRS class A, multislot class 32, maximum speed 85.6/64.2 kbps (DL/UL)
  • EGPRS class A, multislot class 32, maximum speed 236.8/118.4 kbps (DL/UL)
  • WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g, maximum speed up to 11 Mbps/54 Mbps
  • TCP/IP support
  • Capability to serve as data modem

Connectivity

  • 2.0 mm Charger Connector
  • Bluetooth version 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate
  • Support for local synchronisation
  • High-Speed USB 2.0 (micro USB connector)
  • 3.5 mm AV connector

3. SOFTWARE & APPLICATIONS

Software platform & user interface

  • Series 40
  • FOTA (firmware update over the air)
  • Software updates through Nokia Software Updater installed on PC

Applications

  • Nokia Messaging Service 3.0 for Email
  • Nokia Messaging Service 3.0 Chat
  • Nokia Messaging Service 3.0 Communities

Personal Information Management (PIM)

  • Detailed contact information
  • Calendar
  • To-do list
  • Notes
  • Recorder
  • Calculator
  • Clock
  • Converter

4. COMMUNICATIONS

Email and messaging

  • Easy access to your email accounts, including Yahoo!® Mail, Gmail™, Windows Live™, Hotmail™ and other popular POP/IMAP services
  • Easy Ovi Mail free email account creation directly from phone
  • Instant messaging through Windows Live Messenger™, Yahoo!® Messenger, Google Talk™ and Ovi Chat
  • Conversational SMS for chat-style text messages
  • SMS, MMS
  • Nokia Xpress audio messaging

Call management

  • Contacts: up to 1,000 entries
  • Speed dialling
  • Logs of dialled, received and missed calls

5. SHARING & INTERNET

Browsing and internet

  • Web browsing of real web pages through Nokia OSS web browser
  • JavaScript version 1.3 and 1.5
  • ECMAScript support
  • CSS support
  • OMA DRM version 2.0
  • Supported mark-up languages: HTML, XHTML, WML
  • Supported protocols: HTTP, WAP
  • TCP/IP support
  • Included Opera Mini browser optimises web page rending for mobile devices
  • Web Search
  • Communities widget on home screen shows live feeds from Facebook and Twitter

6. PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera

  • 2 megapixel camera (1600 x 1200 pixels)
  • Still image formats: JPEG
  • Zoom up to 4x (digital)
  • Fullscreen viewfinder
  • Self timer
  • Effects in viewfinder: greyscale, sepia and negative

Other

  • 55 MB internal memory, expandable to up to 8 GB with microSD card
  • High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity
  • Bluetooth 2.1 EDR wireless connectivity

7. VIDEO

Video camera

  • 2 megapixel
  • Video clip length: up to capacity of memory card
  • Settings for scene, video light, white balance, colour tone
  • Zoom up to 4 x digital

Video codecs & formats

  • Video capture in MPEG-4, QCIF max. resolution 320 x 240
  • Video file format: H.263, H.264, AVI, MPEG-4 (stored as .mpg or .3gp files), WMV

Video sharing and playback

  • Support for download and streaming

8. MUSIC & AUDIO

Music features

  • Nokia Music Player
  • Music codecs: .MP3, WMA, AAC, eAAC, eAAC+
  • 3.5 mm stereo headphone plug
  • Ringtones: mp3, aac, 64-tone polyphonic

Radio

  • Stereo FM radio (87.5-108 MHz/76-90 MHz), RDS

9. GAMING

Gaming

  • Included games
    • Bounce
    • Sudoku
    • Block’d
    • Diamond Rush

10. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

User manual

  • black&white printing, eco tips on Green Page

11. PACKAGE CONTENTS

Standard Sales Package

  • Nokia C3
  • Nokia Battery BL-5J
  • Nokia Compact Charger AC-3
  • Nokia Stereo Headset WH-102
  • User guide

12. ACCESSORIES

Recommended accessories

  • Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-108
  • Nokia 8 GB micro SDHC Card MU-43
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technology dictionary: Tech Term

Posted by on Apr 28, 2010 in SOFTWARE | 0 comments

For IPhone user, those who want to know the meaning of any different terms,  Jones APR’s Tech Terms can help you out.

Tech term

  • Tech Terms contains over 100 of today’s most commonly used and hottest technology terms, each with its own
    dynamic illustration.
  • From spam to spyware and beyond we have just the app for you! The Tech Terms were written by Ruth Maran, a computer book author with over 10 million books in print worldwide.
  • Tech Terms has all text and graphics built in to the app, no internet connection is required. Text is fully searchable. Tech Terms even contains a spectacular Random mode where you can shake for a random term.

Try it out. Gook Luck !

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Sony Waterproof W250 Walkman .. I like it :-)

Posted by on Apr 27, 2010 in GADGET | 0 comments

I was surfing the news when I stopped at one of the word “waterproof” things. I had experienced several digital-products-loss from “water hazard”.Thus, I keep my readings..

Here, Sony Introduced their Waterproof W250 Walkman. The excitement continues when you see these pictures:

The Spesifications:

   
Capacity NWZ-W252: 2GBNWZ-W253: 4GB
Supported file format MP3/WMA/AAC/Linear PCM.(NB: iTunes DRM files not supported)
Headphone type 13.5mm EX (in-ear)
Playback functions ZAPPIN™ song search, Playlists,Folder Skip, Shuffle
Other functions Water resistant (IPx5 rated)
Charging time Quick charge: 3 minutes charge gives 90 minutes playback
Battery life Up to 11 hours music playback(MP3@128kbps)
Available colours Black, White, Pink, Lime Green
Weight (approx.) 43g
Supplied accessories Charging and Transfer Stand with USB cable, Holder, Ear buds (S,L), Operation Guide, Content Transfer software (in main unit)

 

What more interestingly, You charge the battery for 3 minutes and you can pla the walkman for 90 minutes :-)

Do you want to have it? Sony W250 Waterproof Walkman will go on sale in May 2010. Good Luck !

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