Canon EOS 500D wins best SLR title

Canon's EOS 500D has won European SLR Camera of the Year in the annual contest run by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), the membership of which includes AP.

The EOS 500D was described by judges as an 'excellent DSLR for both novices and advanced amateurs'.

The citation added: 'The quality of the HD video is so impressive that it might provoke the beginning of a new movie-making hobby for some users.'

Buy a Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Olympus's E-P1 was named Camera of the Year, judges applauding the appeal of its elegant retro design. (Buy Olympus PEN E-P1)

Nikon's D3x won the title European Professional Camera and Canon's EOS 5D Mark II triumphed in the Advanced Camera category. (Buy a Nikon D3x)

The European Lens award went to the 'lightweight and affordable' Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM. (Buy Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM AF Lens Nikon)

EISA's best lens for travel was the Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Macro. The top zoom lens accolade was handed to Sony's 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM. (Buy Tamron 18-270mm Canon)

Photo Innovation of the Year honours went to Fujifilm's Super CCD EXR imaging sensor.

Multimedia Camera of 2009-2010 was Panasonic's Lumix DMC-GH1. 'It combines the advantages of a compact camera with those of a DSLR: it is lightweight, has a small body, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and Live View.' (Buy Panasonic GH1)

Via Amateur Photographer

FujiFilm FinePix IS Pro DSLR reviewed

PoliceOne has a review of the FujiFilm FinePix IS Pro, designed to meet the requirements of law enforcement processionals, crime scene investigation, forensics and other official agencies. Designed for photography beyond the visible spectrum of the human eye, the camera is a solid, reliable product, offering a LiveView LCD, all sorts of polarizing, IR, UV filters to reveal gunshot residue, body fluids and blood stains, something you would not want to see in your living room.

From the review:

The FujiFilm Finepix IS Pro is a 12.3 megapixel digital SLR specifically designed for professional photography of images that go beyond the visual spectrum of the human eye. It was designed to be used with a selection of filters from PECA for limiting the spectrum of certain wavelengths to the image. It is based on the FujiFilm Finepix S5 Pro DSLR body, which allows it to mount the entire library of Nikon F lenses and iTTL flash systems, one of the largest selections in professional photography. The IS Pro uses Fujifilm's Super CCD Pro, a CCD designed to more accurately capture an image than conventional DSLRs.

Evidence photographers find themselves shooting at varied angles and situations. The technology for tilting the LCD is there and this would complete the IS Pro package. In its defense, however, I found I could read the LCD at oblique angles better than similar products, even with the supplied LCD cover on.

Read the full review here.

Enter the Fujifilm Panda Photo Sharing Sweepstakes

Calling all panda enthusiasts! Do you have a favorite panda photo to share? The National Zoo and Fujifilm invite you to submit your favorite panda photos for an opportunity to win a fantastic prize, such as a camera or photo book, provided by Fujifilm.

Every other month, beginning in February, up to 25 of the photos received will be selected at random and posted on the Zoo’s website. If your photo is selected and posted on the site, you will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes drawing. Six winners will be drawn throughout the year on a bimonthly basis; the first winner will be drawn on February 27. Winners will be notified via email and also announced on our website.

Get a Fujifilm camera to take your best panda shot.

Via Steve's Digicams, Smithsonian National Zoo