European Imaging Oscars awarded for 2006
from Cameras and Imaging (383 articles)
Click image to enlarge
Image Gallery ( 2 images )May 9, 2006 The photographic industry’s version of the 'Oscars', are the European Photo & Imaging Awards of the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), and they’ve come earlier this year, having last been awarded in August 2005 at Photokina. Every year, TIPA editors vote for the best photo & imaging products introduced in Europe during the previous 12 months, taking into account innovation, the use of leading-edge technology, design and ergonomics of the products and, naturally, their ease of use and price/performance ratio. The main winners in the digital camera categories this year were the Canon EOS-5D (D-SLR Professional), Nikon D200 (D-SLR Expert), Nikon D50 (D-SLR Entry), Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 (D-Superzoom), Fujifilm Finepix F30 (D-Compact), Canon Digital Ixus 65 (Ultra Compact), the Hasselblad H2D-39 (Medium Format D-system) and the remarkable Sinar M system (High end professional camera system – PICTURED.)
Best D–SLR Entry Level - Nikon D50
Little sister of the popular Nikon D70, the 6.1 megapixel D50 gives amateurs the chance to shoot high-resolution images at a very low cost. The ergonomics are well thought out and no major feature or function is missing. In the field, the Nikon D50 gives a performance beyond that expected at this price point. The automatic exposure system compensates for highlights and shadows in difficult lighting conditions, the 5-point autofocus system locks on quickly to the subject, and continuous shooting is possible at up to 2.5 frames per second. When necessary, the seven Digital Vari-Program Modes help optimise the settings for the best results. The D50 is compatible with all the AF Nikkor lenses and accessories, which makes this model a serious starting point for digital SLR photography.
Best D–SLR Expert - Nikon D200
Though it’s less than 2000 euros, the Nikon D200 offers a resolution of 10million pixels (3872 x 2592) with files of32.78 x 21.95cm at 300 dpi. You can shoot with a sensitivity of up to ISO 400and even 800 without too much concern about noise or colour shifts, while the camera’s 3D Color Matrix Metering II measures exposure superbly without blowing highlight detail. However, it’s theD200’s handling speed which really impresses: it’s up-and-running in just 0.15seconds, and has a shutter lag of a mere50 milliseconds. It offers 5 frames-per-second for at least 37 consecutive shots inFine JPEG, and this stunning performance is supported by a new 11-area AF system that the photographer can select at will.
Best D-SLR Professional - Canon EOS 5D
The EOS 5D is the first digital camera that offers a full-frame, 24x36mm sensor at a realistic price, and there’s no compromise on image quality. With 12.8 million pixels available, there’s plenty of resolution for huge prints, and they’re big pixels, too, which means lower noise and higher quality in the final image. Picture sharpness is excellent, and the high resolution and superb image processing means artefacts are rendered invisible. Moreover, the size of the sensor means that the actual focal lengths of Canon EF lenses are used, and with no ‘crop factor’ to swing the results, this gives the angle- of-view and the large viewfinder image that 35mm film photographers know and love.
Best Medium Format Digital System - Hasselblad H2D-39
Hasselblad’s H body and lenses already have a reputation in line with the sumptuous quality of the classic film Hasselblads. The new H2D-39 however, is equipped with a digital back that boasts a massive 39 megapixels, and that sets an entirely new standard in the digital world. The increase in resolution was achieved by reducing of the size of the individual pixels from 9 to 6.8 microns, and the resulting loss of speed is compensated for by improved digital signal processing within the body. Make sure you’ve got plenty of storage space though, as the rise in pixel count means the file-size of a 16-bit TIFF from the H2D-39 is now up to an incredible 224 MB!
Share this article
