Digital Watchdog - DW-VF8500G - 8ch Pentaplex Dvr 500gb Hdd

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $1,028.00
Sale Price: $565.00
Today's Bonus: 45% Off

I'm no tech but I installed this and setup my network in less then 15 min and it was easy, this unit is smaller then you would think but that's great it takes up very little space on a shelf or in a cabinet. If you want quality this is it and there is plenty of setup videos on YouTube, customer service is A++++

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Canon EOS Rebel T3I 18MP Digital SLR Camera Body (kit box)

Customer Ratings:

The Canon T3I with 18 MP is everything I needed in a digital SLR for an advanced amateur photographer. The camera takes great photos and uses my existing Canon lenses.

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Pentax Optio WG-1 14 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $429.95
Sale Price: $314.91
Today's Bonus: 27% Off

When looking for an underwater camera, this was rated the best for rapid response which is critical for not missing the shot. Zoom is responsive. I didn't realize it has a programmable quick access button which I programed for video so it can switch between taking photos and video very quickly without navigating the menu system, a hidden feature that didn't come out in other reviews. It comes with a removable ring around the lens for macro shots, I actually keep it on to protect the lens and acts like a mini sun screen. This way the camera rests on the ring vs the lcd side.

The battery cover has some slight movement which I was originally concerned about for water, but so far it seems as the little movement doesn't affect the water protection. The worst and only major complaint is the battery life is dismal. I get about 1 1/2 hours of using both photo and video before the battery goes. I did purchase an extra battery, but knowing other point and shoot cameras have much better battery life, not sure why they skimped on such an important function.

It's obvious that the quality isn't as good as a dedicated point and shoot, but the ability to take photos in water is priceless. This camera I can even let my 3 year old use without fear of them breaking it. The features that it has is similar to todays point and shoot cameras including smile detection.

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Sony BDV-N8100W 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $699.99
Sale Price: $698.00
Today's Bonus: $1.99 Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Sony BDV-N8100W is a nice unit with a ton of features. Rather than write an enormous review of every possible function, I'm going to zoom in on the things that seem to matter most to me. If I don't mention something, it's either because I don't want to repeat what other reviewers already said, or because I just don't use it.

First, I was happy to see that fit and finish is very good for the price. You don't get all-metal enclosures, wooden speaker boxes with Kevlar cones, or large-gauge cables, but materials and workmanship are a good deal for this kind of package at this price point. The main unit and subwoofer tuck away nicely, and the speakers are unobtrusive in our living room. Note, though, that we wall-mounted the front speakers, discarding the tall stands that come in the box. Wall mounted, they produce good sound and visually match up well with our fireplace-hung LCD TV.

Second, it was very easy to set up and configure. Physically, it takes a great deal of time to place everything just so, route cables and power, etc., but at no stage was it difficult.

Third, though, the UI menu system is characteristically "Sony" in that like every Sony camera and other gadget I've ever owned ordinary usage requires you to navigate a large and fairly discursive menu system. This can actively hamper everyday use. For instance, astonishingly, there is no function to let you select a particular input mode! By this, I mean you cannot press a single button and jump to HDMI 1 (etc.). Instead, you have to press a function button repeatedly, cycling one at a time through all of the many input options until you get the one you want. Alternatively, you can call up the main menu, navigate left or right to the input control settings and then up or down to the one you want. It's pretty much the same either way, because it takes a lot of button mashing and more importantly it makes it hard to use a procedural universal remote control (like a Logitech Harmony).

Fourth, sound is remarkably good for the price. On movies, TV and music (whether 2-channel or simulated surround) the sound is equal to or better than the separate components I bought for a higher price some years back. And the wireless rear surrounds produce extremely good sound for the purpose, and I've never experienced a dropout or disconnection.

UPDATE November 22, 2013:

=============================

In recent weeks, something has gone wonky with the sound in this unit. My guess is that one of the firmware updates did something to change sound processing algorithms, because all voices now take on a weird, distorted kazoo-like character at low volumes. It's not completely unlistenable, but it is distracting. It affects all of the DSP settings (Auto, Movie, Music, etc) except, oddly, 3D Surround Sound mode, so I keep in that mode almost all the time now. A manual software reset did not solve the problem.

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Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S

Customer Ratings:

I can't speak for either of the other reviewers, but mine was a direct import or "gray market" body and lenses. That means Nikon won't warranty anything and will never do any warranty work either. DavisMAX offered me a 3 year 3rd party warranty or a refund. They said that the reason they sold me a "gray market" camera was because they were out of stock. They should more clearly state that the manufacturer's warranty won't be available.

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Olympus PEN E-PL2 Black with 14-42 II Black and ED 40-150mm

Customer Ratings:

I am an amateur photographer (a member of my local camera club) and an avid camper/hiker/canoer/outdoorsy type. My primary interests in photography are wildlife and landscapes, although I will occasionally do architecture (esp. ruins) and every day people shots. I bought this camera + two-lens kit directly from Olympus during their 2011 summer sale, and I have to say I am extremely happy I decided on this purchase (I was considering a Nikon D7000 and others at that point). It was $900 when I bought it (taxes/shipping incl.), so this is a great price considering what you get.

The image quality (IQ) is incredible and has astounded my professional photographer friends time and time again. My mom and sister both own a photography business, and both shoot with expensive, high-end, much larger Nikon DSLRs. Two other friends, who are top-notch (international award-winning) photographers who shoot with various DSLR cameras from Cannon and Nikon are also in the same 'boat', but one of them had bought the EPL-2 just two months before I did (and he only buys the best photography equipment with the highest IQ). He claims he will never take his larger DSLRs with him on a trip again, and the other friend has finally been converted to the MFT (micro four-thirds) as well (he is now on the market for the EPL-2 or -3). My mom keeps trying to steal it from me and I'm going to have to buy her one too.

This camera is excellent because it is light-weight, compact, *relatively* affordable (when you consider the cost of many mid-high end DSLRs), and competes VERY well with the more expensive cameras' IQ, colour rendering, white balance, ISO (you hardly get any noise even at the higher ISOs!!!), and even their numerous functions/shooting options. Although new and unable to do everything everyone could ever want (which no camera can do), the MFT technology is definitely the way to go for any amateur photographer or professionals looking for a smaller package with the same quality as their primary or secondary camera. Also, the kit lenses are surprisingly good, and you don't need a macro lens (good thing, because there isn't one only a converter) because the 14-42mm lens offers just the right depth of field for either every day shooting or close up shots.

I only gave this camera a 4 and not a 5 for two reasons: first, as I am coming from a DSLR (primarily Nikon) circle, I find the organization of the menus and manual sometimes confusing, although as I continue practicing with the camera it's finally becoming second nature; also, the price of such small items can sometimes feel like I could be purchasing many other items for the price of one lens, and there are not many options out there just yet (but this is changing rapidly). That being said, I am not a professional and so I'm pleased with the options for me I have the two kit lenses and the Panasonic 100-300mm, I purchased the Olympus 9mm-18mm wide angle M.Zuiko today (after testing it in-store), and I will soon be adding the Oly 25mm pancake lens.

I have just finished packing for my first safari and I must say, I am amazed that I can pack the all my lenses (equivalent to the range of 18mm-600mm of a full-frame camera), my camera body, charger/batteries, cards, a small Sony video camera with all its items, my filters, two notepads+writing utensils, the VF-2 viewfinder, a tripod (which is the heaviest item) and a few other things (i.e. cleaning products, wires) all in a small camera backpack that combined weighs less than 12 lbs!!! My mom's Nikon D2X and her 80-400mm lens ONLY are just over 6lbs, and my one friend who is now on the market for and EPL has asked me to carry his 600mm lens through the airport because I have an extra item I can carry in-hand and he's already overstuffed. Of the 24 photographers who are coming on safari, I will be the envy as far as packing is concerned.

Overall, I have what I need and I am consistently amazed by the quality and overall value of these products. I HIGHLY recommend this kit to those who can afford it!!!

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Sony HDR-TD30V Full HD 3D Handycam Camcorder with 3.5-Inch LCD

Customer Ratings:

This product has exceeded my expectations in all aspects.

All features and its user interface is very well designed.

Its main positive aspects are:

The image stabilization is the best I've seen in 15 years as a user of domestic camcorders.

The 3D effect is amazing, and allows you to record important memories and moments of your private lives with the sense of immersion that only 3D allows.

The only negative aspect I noticed was the short battery life. In this regard, I got a kit with 2 extra batteries for long-lasting that solved the problem. I recommend anyone who is buying the product that does the same because the original battery only lasts for about 30 minutes.

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AAXA MP-300-02 LED Showtime 3D Pico/Micro Projector with LED

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $555.00
Sale Price: $449.99
Today's Bonus: 19% Off

I originally contacted the manufacture to confirm that this projector will suit my needs. After speaking with them for about 15 minutes, I decided to order the projector directly from them because they offered the MHL cable for my Samsung Galaxy Note 2. I was impressed by how quickly I got my package from them and opened the package immediately when I got home from work. The projector came in a blank white box with no instructions but the device itself looked solid. I fired up the projector and was able to get my Galaxy Note 2 connect within minutes! Just to make sure I contacted the manufacture again to confirm that I did not get a refurbished item. They explained that all of their LED Showtime projectors come in a blank white box for now.

Now for the actual product review. I purchased this projector for my living room to watch video contents from my laptop and Galaxy Note 2. My first initial impression was that the image was not as crisp as a regular TV but I later found a focus adjustment wheel on the projector! Once I started to mess with the focus adjustment, I was blown away by how nice the image looked with the lights dimmed. I also love how small and lightweight these pico projectors are. I just need to find a carrying case so I don't damage the projector while I carry it to my girlfriends house.

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. I was a bit skeptical about spending $500 for a projector but now I feel it was well worth the money.

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Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm ED AF-S DX

Customer Ratings:

[Following is a reprint of my body only review. I placed a review of the lens at the end.]

The Nikon D80, destined to replace the popular D70 series, is a great camera for Nikon fans who wish to upgrade from their D50s, 70s or 100s. It's also attractive enough to maybe get a few people to jump ship!

Here's the highlights:

1) 10.2 megapixel. A substantial upgrade from the 6mp of the older cameras, performance should be very comparable to the highly regarded D200 camera;

2) 11-point AF system. Similar again to the D200 in performance (though not as easy to change);

3) Large viewfinder (.94x magnification). Again, taken from the D200, this is a clear improvement over the previous cameras. Spec wise, this is also better than all the competition, even though other, personal preference factors need to be taken into consideration (such as layout of LCDs and focusing points).;

4) 2.5" LCD. Not only is it larger, it can also be viewed at a much wider angle--particularly handy when locked to a tripod.

The camera is small for Nikon (about like the D50), but has a good, firm grip for those with medium to larger hands. Controls are well thought out--easy to get to and use. Dampening of mirror noise is better than its competition.

Nikon's use of the SDHC format should be commended. These small cards will have no real disadvantage to the older CF hards once the HC versions start hitting the shelves, and should relieve the danger of "bent pins".

Things you've liked about previous Nikons have been retained. The D80 uses inexpensive wireless & wired remotes, and it still allows the built-in flash to control other Nikon Speedlights remotely.

Compared to the competition, the Canon Rebel XTi & Sony Alpha 100, the Nikon starts a bit in the hole, considering it's the most expensive camera (by $200 & $100, respectively). The XTi offers a nice "anti-dust" hardware & software solution; while the Sony offers in camera stablization. Both use the rear LCD for info status. While many may prefer the traditional LCD on top (like the D80), the rear LCD does have the advantage of being considerably larger text for older eyes (and on the Alpha, rotates when you rotate the camera for verticals). Too bad the D80 doesn't give you this option as well.

The XTi is smaller and lighter, maybe too small for many people. The XTi also does not offer wireless capability with the built-in flash (like D80/A100). It's battery (hence capacity) is a bit smaller.

The Alpha 100 being Sony's first modern digital SLR means that getting lenses and accessories my be a bit more difficult (even though it uses a lot from the older Maxxum cameras). It's also a bit noiser in its operations.

The D80 adds more AF selections than either of the above cameras, has nice enhancements like grid lines and double exposures. It also comes with a protective cover for the rear LCD.

Lens wise, they greatly outnumber those offered by Sony, particularly in any considered "Pro" grade. While Canon can compete in "Pro" grade with Nikon (particularly in longer length lenses), Nikon has a bit of advantage in wider angles for digital. Nikon only offers one size digital sensor, where as Canon must offer two series (for 3 different chip sizes).

Is the D80 worth the money? For anyone with Nikon lenses, undoubtedly. My recommendation for anyone with Canon EF or Minolta Maxxum lenses: look at those cameras first...but be sure to look at the D80 before you buy.

Lens review: Tremendous! The Nikkor 18-135 gives everybody what they want, an affordable lens with above average quality.

First, the 18-135 range is excellent for a kit lens, equivalent of a 27-200 in 35mm photography. It looks great, zooms smoothly, and balances well. The Silent Wave focusing motor is quiet, quick and smooth, and allows immediate manual focus (no hunting for switches). The internal focus is great for anyone using polarizing filters, and allows for a more efficient tulip shaped lens hood (supplied).

Second, the image quality is very good. The aperture is of average size, so don't expect images to jump out like large aperture lenses, but quality is good throughout the range.

Third, Nikon always includes a better than average 5 year warranty in the US on their lenses.

The only negative is that I always prefer a metal lens mount to a plastic one, although the latter keeps both the weight and cost down.

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Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $1,299.98
Sale Price: $938.00
Today's Bonus: 28% Off

After ordering this I had some issues with the seller, they resolved it quickly and better than what I expected. I'm glad I made this order. The camera excellent, straight out of the box, put in the battery that comes with it (and has a charger for the battery) it is good to go to start taking pictures...

HOWEVER, (this is why I didn't rate it 5 stars) THIS KIT DOES NOT COME WITH A LENS, A BIG MISTAKE THAT I MADE, I HOPE YOU REALIZE THIS BEFORE YOU ORDER THIS KIT. That being said, I went a got a lens for $149 and was able to start taking pictures.

So all in all this is an excellent camera even though I couldn't use it right away. But shopping around this is the best deal for your buck because I was able to to get a lens and this kit for under $2,000, which is about what you would spend if you got a kit that comes with a lens, BUT THEN AGAIN WHEN I BOUGHT THE KIT WAS LISTED FOR $1,394.99 AND I HAVE NOTICED SINCE THEN THE PRICE HAS JUMPED BIG TIME. So still shop around and choose wisely.

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Hello Kitty 87009 5.1 Megapixel Digital Camera

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $89.99
Sale Price: $46.42
Today's Bonus: 48% Off

I bought this for my 9 yr old daughter. I thought with the higher pixel count it would take a decent picture but not so. You could have twice the pixels and would still take a lousey picture because there is no image stablization software. Even if she holds it as still as possible we have a hard time getting a decent image.

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RICOH THETA

Customer Ratings:

Unless you are crazy about immersive panoramas and willing to grant the Theta the kind of unconditional love normally reserved for puppies, spend your money on something more reliable. I'm thinking pork belly futures.

Everything negative that you have read about this camera is probably true. Please understand that I love this camera to pieces. But I'm not a complete idiot. Here is my take on the worst problems.

Internet Connectivity and Image Accessibility

What I consider to be its worst problem is correctable in software: Ricoh Pentax have not released code in any form (source, binary, app, servlet, library) that allows for the independent display of the .jpg images produced by the Theta. Currently, the only way to get an image on the internet is to use either Ricoh's free iOS app or Microsoft's Photosynth app to push the image to Ricoh's servers at theta360.com. Having done that, one can link to the page on which the image resides (not the image itself). Let's say that you have a blog and want to show someone a 360 degree view that you've taken. In your blog text, you'd insert a link to image page on theta360.com. Having clicked that link, your reader is then directed to the Ricoh server and can readily navigate via touch or mouse around your image. Unfortunately, the reader is also subjected to any decorations or ads that Ricoh chooses to weigh down the image with. For some people, this will be a dealbreaker. You are completely at Ricoh's mercy. What happens if -perish the thought -this $400 misunderstanding isn't the huge hit that Ricoh hopes it will be? How about they shut down the server and you're toast? Won't happen? Right.

Let's take the case that you're trying to write a review of the Theta and have uploaded a conventional .jpg that is a highly cropped extract of a 360 image that shows how unobtrusive the camera mount is. Amazon encourages the reviewer to add notes to the image. Suppose in your note you want to add a link to the whole glorious picture to show how tiny and unobtrusive the camera stand is. Well, you cannot, because Amazon don't allow links to images in this context. Nor should they. They don't want to depend on a third party (in this case theta360) who could offer unreliable service, or change the content of the link to an ad or pornography or whatever. The obvious solution is to upload the whole image to Amazon. Oops, you can't do that because Ricoh only supports links to the page on which the image resides. And Amazon only allows images.

One solution is for a Ricoh to register a specific extension for the Theta's images, say .sir which would stand for spherical image Ricoh. Then they could offer operating system level drivers or browser extensions or server side support for that extension which would handle the image rendering. This must sound very tedious. I wouldn't be talking about it if a Ricoh had properly dealt with it.

Image Quality

I got hooked on digital panoramas in the late 1990s. I think that the camera I was using then produced two meg images. The stitching software I could find allowed for stitching together an arbitrary number of images to create a long strip of up to 360 degrees. There was no concept of stitching together two bands along their long axes. So the product of a fair amount of effort was a skinny vertical or horizontal photo. Even skinnier if you cropped the scalloped edges. In contrast, the theta quickly delivers a complete 360 degree image. Whatever stitching that is done is hidden from the user. In my experience, banding that occurs where the two hemispheres is subtly or non-existent. Finger scrolling through the image on my iPod is exciting. Maybe I'm easily amused, but I just love it.

What isn't exciting is the image quality, which is terrible, probably worse than I was getting with the cameras available to me in the nineties. Particularly in the interior shots, the digital grain is like marbles. I'm pretty sure that the software that makes the exposure decides to boost the ISO film speed equivalent rather than extending the exposure. This is crazy. There out to be a setting that asks if the camera is on some sort of support. If it is, i can see no reason why the software that drives the camera cannot increase the exposure time. If the sensor is like that on any other digital camera I've seen, keeping the ISO low should yield profound improvement in resolution.

Another IQ issue that is a little trickier is exposure latitude. Almost be definition, any 360 image is going to have a wide range of illumination, often beyond the capability of any sensor to capture in a single exposure. If the software was told the camera was on a support, it could make several bracketed exposures and not have to clip highlight and shadows.

Usability

Few experiences in life are more pleasant than running crisp software that is smarter than you are. Conversely, hardly anything is more galling than what I will call arrogant but ignorant software. Theta app, how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways.

Running the camera remotely from an iOS (and on 29 November, Android, if Ricoh's announcement holds true) app is brilliant if you happen to have an iPod or iPhone. What isn't great is communicating across a public wifi network hosted by the Theta. Initially, this makes sense. Achieving a connection to a known SSID is something that we all know how to do. The password is engraved on the bottom of the camera, invisible to all snoopers except those with a tripod socket fetish. what is inconvenient is what happens when you start using it. For me, the normal workflow is to take a shot or two and then upload them to the internet. This means that you are constantly toggling back and forth between your normal WiFi connection and the Theta connection. The acronym for this condition is PITA. Far better for them to have used an ad hoc connection which can coexist with a standard connection and avoid swapping altogether. I'm not sure, but I think miracast is an example of what I'm talking about. Also, AppleTV and ChromeCast.

Every time you want to upload an image, you have to log onto FaceBook. This is automated, but what if you don't want to be a member? Tough.

Prominence of Hands, Tripods, and Other Camera Supports

For me, this is a non-issue. Basically every frame the Theta exposes is its own selfie. Otherwise, they'd call it something like Theta 359. If you're holding the camera, at least one hand, foot, mouth, or other body part is going to show up in the image. I prefer to use an unobtrusive support. Along with the camera, I ordered two small tripods, a mini CCTV stand, and a D-ring which screws into the tripod socket and can be used with monofilament. So far, my big favorite is the CCTV stand ( Panavise 845-246W Deluxe Micro Mount (Cream) ). In my opinion, its color and shape blend in nicely with the stub of the camera that inevitably shows up in the image. While it comes with a nice ball head, most tables and suchlike are level enough that I don't need it. There should be a shot of the setup in the product images.

Case

The Theta's body otherwise sleek body is of necessity dominated by two exophtalmic half orbs -the lenses that together give it the capability to make panoramas. Ricoh provides a cute but insubstantial case which probably keeps the dust off but offers virtually no drop or shock protection. I think that Ricoh should spring for the couple of bucks a custom Pelican case would cost them. In the meantime, don't be stuffing your Theta in no overhead bins.

Conclusion

Ricoh Pentax joins two companies with a long history of innovation. I am desperately hoping that the shortcomings I've discussed are mostly 1.0 software problems that can be addressed in upcoming releases. The pressures to bring out a product in time for the holidays must be enormous.

In the meantime, this pioneering nanoniche camera is a source of endless fascination for me and others afflicted with immersive panorama syndrome. People who are just looking for the occasional panorama would be better and less expensively served by virtually any smartphone.

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ZMODO 8 CH CCTV Surveillance DVR Outdoor Camera System 500GB

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $385.00
Sale Price: $188.99
Today's Bonus: 51% Off

I've never owned or hooked up a video system before but was willing to try. We wanted to protect the system from wire cutters or unplugging too so we went a step further in running steel conduit to the mounted cameras outside.

With regards to the system its self, it is pretty cool for the price tag. It has many features and capabilities. Once hooked up I would say I was not as impressed with the video as I expected to be but it serves it's purpose well enough and we can make out peoples faces from a distance. The night vision feature is the same. It works but I don't think it will go the 50 feet claimed. Maybe 30 feet and it's a fairly narrow beam that is well lite not the whole field of the camera lens. The mounts are workable but not without a little help. The screws were useless so we got different self-tapping ones of better grade and won't strip. On some mounts we used a piece of foil inside the universal joint to give it more bite and hold power. Really no problem at all. You will also have to buy a monitor if you don't have one but I went to Goodwill and picked one up used with cables for $15 more. We had more than enough cable to do out job and put the extra in the attic. One con is everything is designed to be plugged into an outlet. We wanted out system hiden out of the way so we put it in the closet and are going to have a special outlet installed in there for it but unless you want to do that for a more professional looking job you'll need to put the system next to an outlet and internet conection. For that we are using a wireless adapter and router instead of the hard cable. We also ran all the wires up throught the ceiling into the attic and out to the eves of the house were the conduit tool over outside to the camera.

So even tho we took it a step further we are happy with the quality of the video and the system overall. It also has many easy intefaces to access system settings and to save via USB memory stick or to PC via network. Playback and search also was easy to use. I found the system to be as easy to use as my laptop really. and there seems to be lots of different preset controls for the basic camera in my opinion. However, the system leaves me wanting to buy 4 more better PTZ cameras with 2-way audio which the system can handle.

The one thing I have not done yet is use the smart phone app for Android to monitor and change the settings yet. I wish I could comment now but maybe later. However, based on my experience so far I do not expect it to be a problem to setup or use even though the apps referenced don't appear to be their brand but third party.

Overall I think for the money I paid I got a great little system that does pretty much what it says and what I need. With a little inginuity we made the system look more like a professional installation and for about $40 more and a little extra work we fortified the systems integrity pretty good too. I figure a new outlet iin the closet will cost about $150 with an electrician and then the only thing anyone will see besides my cameras is when they open the closet to make a manual change or want to view the monitor. We do plan to buy and use some upgraded cameras with audio.

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Olympus PEN E-PM1 12.3MP Interchangeable Camera with CMOS

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $499.00
Sale Price: $249.00
Today's Bonus: 50% Off

Update (4/27/2012)

==============

Note about Olympus service. It turns out that my camera had an issue with taking picture at fast shutter speed (1/4000s). I called the service and sent it in. It was fixed by week's end, and was shipped it out by 2nd Day Air. It was all for free as my camera is still under warranty. I did not get a refurbished unit; I got mine back. When I tested my 'fixed' camera, I found everything was working as expected and no more problems at high shutter speed. Big kudos for Olympus service!

Update (2/6/2012)

==============

One key feature I forgot to mention is the in-body image stablization (IBIS). Olympus has the IBIS whereas Panasonic only supports the IS built into the lens. There are PROs and CONs of IBIS. However this comes in handy in many cases, and I prefer camera having IBIS where some lenses do not come with IS built-in (OIS). Some of my lenses do not have OIS, and if I do not use IBIS on Olympus, images would not be as sharp. On the other hand, people say that IBIS is not ideal for the video recording. I have not noticed much, but I can see how.

On the other hand, Olympus will announce E-M5 (OM-D family) this week. This one will support 5 axis IS (still an IBIS) which is expected to be much better than the IBIS that current models have. Some on the DPREVIEW forum say that this one will be better than OIS... we'll have to wait for some product review for the verdict.

Important Update (11/21/2011)

=====================

Firmware version 1.1 is now available from Olympus. It was surprising from a company that is going through a financial trouble :) The firmware version 1.1 is supposed to address an issue with EyeFi (Wifi SD + memory) card. Although I do not use the EyeFi card, I thought I will give it a try and updated my camera with some worries as one reviewer on DPREVIEW.com reported that camera became 'brick' after the update.

I used 'Olympus Digital Camera Updater' software that came with my camera. I used my Mac Mini to update the firmware. Everything took less than 2 minutes, and I got large "OK" sign on the LCD display. Upon recycling the power, the camera reported firmware version 1.1 correctly. I took about 50 shots after the update, and so far so good.

My original review

============

This is my fourth camera purchase this year... yet this is the best one. My other three cameras were point-and-shoot cameras that gave me some good photos but in-door shots with high iso gave me very grainy images. Nikon P300 is pretty good with F1.8; however image sensor was little too small and that results in lower image quality in some occasion.

I also have Canon T1i which takes photos with really good image quality; however I run into the portability issue. I'm not as big of a photo enthusiast (I know... I just love buying new camera) and I do not feel comfortable carrying my Canon T1i everywhere. It is simply too bulky.

My definition of 'perfect' camera is one that I can take most everywhere and take photos with good image quality in every situation.

I did a lot of research for the 'perfect' camera, and I quickly came down to the following selections:

1) Sony NEX family Sony NEX 3, 5, C3, 5N, and 7.

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These are wonderful camera. Small, and versatile, and especially with APS-C size image sensor, image quality (IQ) rivals regular dSLRs. However the limitations are the fact that they use Sony proprietary lenses and there are limited number of NEX lenses.

2) Samsung N100/N200

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These are similar to Sony NEX. I haven't seen them in person; however these should deliver similar IQ with the APS-C size sensors. However they do have the same issue of using Samsung proprietary lens mount + format.

3) Nikon 1, Pentax Q, and Fujifilm X100

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Ok, Fujifilm X100 has APS-C size sensor; however it has a single fixed lens on the camera. Good lens, but you cannot replace lens. Nikon and Pentax recently announced their new compact system cameras, however their system uses smaller size sensor. Pentax uses even smaller and Nikon uses sensor about 1/2 of Micro Four Thirds. I like Nikon but I felt the lens collection + size sensor was disappointment at this time.

4) Then there are Micro Four Thirds cameras... these include Olympus e-P1,P2,P3, e-PL1,PL2,PL3, and e-PM1 and Panasonic GF1, GF2, and GF3, and other G series cameras.

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Micro Four Thirds cameras can use any lenses that adhere to the Micro Four Thirds standards. Therefore there are more lens selections available at the time of my research than any other compact system cameras.

My decision was more of my budget and my future direction... I want to build my lens library first; however I wanted to get best value for my budget. In my opinion, Olympus e-PM1 was the best choice.

My selection of Olympus E-PM1 was for its compact size and versatility of the camera. yes, it may not have all physical control buttons. That was problem when I was looking at the camera; however it's not as bad as I thought. You can get to the settings quickly and you actually have control of most of settings that you can think of... And you can easily set your focus area, if you don't want the camera to choose for you :)

Based on my research Olympus E-PM1 has pretty much the same hardware as more expensive and little bigger E-PL3. This means that it now has new dual core image processor (TruePic VI) and very fast auto-focus system. This all means that this Olympus E-PM1 is very responsive and good performer in everyday use.

It's been about a week and I took almost 900 photos with single battery charge(battery life is good). I now have Panasonic 20mm F1.7 pancake lens on the camera and that one is really good for photo taking. (I won't recommend it for video.. due to noise issue). With my F/1.7 lens, I haven't really had need for a flash on the camera. In fact, I have not even tried it yet. Camera takes good IQ and very fast auto focus. I love how i can control so many settings on the camera. I don't think I had this much fun with my Canon T1i.

NOTE: For Mac users out there, this ACHVD format on 1080i video would be little problem as there are no native support for the format yet.

Pros for Olympus E-PM1

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Compact size (smaller than other micro four thirds)

Good Image Quality (comparable to dSLRs)

Fast auto focus speed

large number of available lenses (micro four thirds)

Available Hot Shoe; you can use external flash

Cons for Olympus E-PM1

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no built-in flash (having something is better than nothing)

not pocketable, unless you are talking about your winter jacket

Limited availability of button control; it's ok but for some this would be strong 'con"

Video format (ACHVD MTS format is not for computer... Mac software not as widely available)

Built-in image stabilization may not work perfectly for the video; it works well for still images.

(UPDATE 11/15/2011) It may be my camera, however I cannot use shutter speed 1/3200 or 1/4000s. Images get too dark at the bottom of picture. However I rarely need these shutter speed; therefore I do not see this is a show stopper.

* Image Sensor size discussion

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Here are some measure of image sensors used on various digital cameras today:

Typical point-and-shoot, sensor=1/2.33", sensor size=~28.5mm^2, crop factor=5.62

Advanced point-and-shoot, sensor=1/1.6", sensor size=~48.6mm^2, crop factor=4.3

micro-four-thirds, sensor=MFT, sensor size=~225mm^2, crop factor=2

Canon dSLR, sensor=APS-C, sensor size=~329mm^2, crop factor=1.6

Other dSLR (Nikon,Sony), sensor=APS-C, sensor size=~369mm^2, crop factor=1.5

Olympus E-PM1 has micro four thirds format sensor, i.e. it has surface area of 225mm^2 which is significantly larger than typical point-and-shoot camera. Olympus E-PM1 has more than 4.6x bigger image sensor to pick up more lights than advanced point-and-shoot camera.

* Comparison between Point-and-Shoot and Olympus E-PM1

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Olympus E-PM1, as a micro four thirds camera, has significantly bigger MOS sensor and you can go to ISO1600 and still have good image quality. I posted an example of image that was taken with ISO1600 with F11. This still has fairly good image quality even with high ISO. Of course, the image quality would be less accurate in dimly lit condition. However Olympus E-PM1 still has much better image quality than other point-and-shoot camera. I compared picture taken with Olympus E-PM1 and Nikon P300, and Olympus wins hands down.

* Olympus E-PM1 User Interface

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As noted above, Olympus E-PM1 does not have as many manual control buttons. You don't even have 'mode' button. P/A/S/M has to be selected via menu button. Although this may be problem for some users, many users will find it adequate. There are even customizable buttons that you can assign "video record" button as "DOF preview". Other controls, such as changing ISO, aperture value, shutter speed, are fairly simple. Olympus E-PM1 gives you so much control over camera settings.

* RAW image format (Updated 11/15/2011)

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Olympus E-PM1 has good RAW image setting (.ORF format). Included Olympus Viewer 2 software can be used to develop RAW images into JPG format images.

I am happy to report that the following software support E-PM1 ORF format:

Adobe Element 9 with the latest update (ACR 6.5 and later)

Aperture 3.2.1

Summary

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Olympus E-PM1 is a solid camera with good functionalities. It is small enough to be almost pocketable yet provides many advanced functionalities that rivals entry level dSLRs. As a micro four thirds camera, there are good set of lenses from multiple manufacturers, and Olympus has built very responsive camera with good image quality (IQ) sensor with this E-PM1. This camera should appeal to those of you looking to move up to more advanced camera from their point-and-shoot camera or someone with dSRLs looking for a smaller, competent camera. I do admit that this camera is not 'perfect' camera; however this camera is one of the best value for a compact system camera today.

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