Samsung NX Zoom Lenses: Choosing the Right Combination

With the release of NX 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 OIS iFn lens, you might be pretty eager to replace your kit lens. Or you might be contemplating getting the NX 50-200mm F4-5.6 lens instead. In this post, I will share with you the benefits and constraints of the different lens combination.

18-200mm: The All-In-One
No doubt the 18-200mm is the one lens that you should ever need on a camera. But there are reasons why you don't see them being used as much as the kit lens. One main reason: size. Many users might be happy with the 18-55mm range. But if you find yourself wanting to zoom in closer during most shoots, then you would probably should consider getting this lens, to save the hassle of changing lenses during shoots.

18-55mm + 50-200mm: Optimal Choice
What, then, is the benefit of getting 2 lenses instead of one? One main reason: price. With the kit lens already part of your NX camera package, getting another 50-200mm would not cost you as much as the 18-200mm. Having 2 separate lenses to cover the entire focal length also means you have the choice of picking your lenses to carry with you and losing some weight.

If price and size are not of concern, then here are some technical differences to highlight.


Comparing Maximum Variable Aperture Values
The table below shows the different maximum aperture when the lenses zoom in. The maximum aperture value changes for some zoom lenses because the lens barrel extends as you zoom, resulting in reduction of the effective aperture. Simplistically speaking, less light enters the lens as the lens barrel extend, so the aperture becomes "smaller" and shutter speed is reduced.

The reason why camera makers make variable aperture lenses is to reduce cost and weight so that general consumers can afford photography. Fixed-aperture lenses are very costly, and in the case of 18-200mm, practically impossible to achieve.


So what does the chart say? It says that the maximum aperture for 18-55mm reduces slightly faster than 18-200mm. For instance, at 45mm, the 18-55mm maximum aperture is F5.6, whereas the 18-200mm maximum aperture is F5.0, offering a third-stop advantage. Not much, really.

But comparing to 50-200mm, the 18-200mm maximum aperture is already F5.6 at 60mm whereas the 50-200mm is barely F4.3. That means the 50-200mm will let you shoot at faster shutter speed than 18-200mm at same focal length. And that's certainly an advantage. Note also that the 18-200mm hits F6.3 at 100mm, while the 50-200mm reaches F5.6 from 145mm.

So the 50-200mm is a brighter lens throughout the range compared to 18-200mm. But wait, there's more.


Comparing Minimal Focal Distance
The minimal focal distance for 18-200mm is 0.5m. The minimal focal distance for 18-55mm is 0.28m. The minimal focal distance for 50-200mm is 0.98m. Based on the figures, it means that you can shoot closer with the 18-55mm than 18-200mm, which in turns shoots closer than 50-200mm. Therefore, the 18-200mm lets you zoom in and shoot at objects closer than with 50-200mm zoomed in at 200mm.

  

 

However, at 18mm focal length, the 18-55mm would allow you to get closer than 18-200mm. It's a give-and-take situation.

Conclusion
The 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses do what they do best. 18-55mm lets you focus closer at objects, and the 50-200mm lets you shoot at bigger aperture. The 18-200mm lens covers the entire focal length in a size of 50-200mm lens. There is no substitute for quality: an all-in-one lens like 18-200mm is bound to have limitations to fit into the size that it is. But it definitely offers the one benefit that all photographers desire: zoom coverage. If you find it a hassle to switch lenses and can overlook the slight technical limitations, then this is the time to own the new NX 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OIS iFn lens.


If you are interested in the NX prime (fixed-focal) lenses, here is the post. Join my Facebook photography page.

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Review

Olympus has created a brand new mirrorless camera model - the Mini - to further segment the mirrorless camera market. At first look, the E-PM1 looks identical to the E-PL3. But on further inspection, one would find that the E-PM1 has far less buttons, knobs and dials.

And that's where the differences end. At the heart, the E-PM1 offers the same hardware, same list of features, and slightly smaller overall dimensions.

• 215 grams (body), 401 grams with 14-42mm kit lens, battery and flash
• 12.3 megapixel High-speed LiveMOS Sensor
• Full-HD 1080p movie recording AVCHD
• Stereo microphones
• Built-in image stabilization
• Fast auto-focus system
• 5 fps shooting

Simple and Minimal
The camera body offers a metallic feel, in contrast to the E-PL3 which has a acrylic gloss coating. The camera does appear somewhat bare, with lots of empty spaces, an unusual sight for a large camera, where many manufacturers would attempt to maximise the surface area. While in my earlier review on the E-PL3 I mentioned I don't really like the layout, I seem to like the E-PM1 more, despite lesser buttons and dials for me to do direct setting changes. This is because I have less buttons to be confused.

Olympus attempts to make the best of the limited buttons on the E-PM1 to achieve ease of use. For instance, pressing the menu button will bring up the list of modes that would have appeared on the mode dial of the E-PL1. To go to the camera setup menu, you will navigate to the right-most selection. When reviewing photos during playback, you have to turn the wheel to scroll the images, while pressing the directional buttons zooms in and out of the image. To move around the zoomed-in image, you first press the "Info" button before you can use the same directional buttons. It does take some getting used to, but if this is your one and only camera, I believe you will get the hang of it over time.

Notice there is no "delete" button, a rarity. You have to press a few extra buttons during review in order to do so. You could assign the movie record button for quick delete, but I strongly do not recommend, because once you press the button, the image is delete: there is no confirmation prompt.

Handling and Speed
With less buttons, I do find it a challenge to change settings on the move. But if you are a novice user with little demands, the E-PM1 offers good handling. The camera feels it's made of premium quality, its start-up and shooting speed is fast, but the interface is just a tad laggy. While the auto-focus speed is really snappy, I do get some out-of-focus shots under low-light conditions. Apparently, the camera assumes it achieves focus and fires the shutter when in fact the focus is off. In another case, the multi-area AF engine chooses to focus an object far away and ignores the closer human subject.

The E-PM1 offers the same advanced custom settings as the E-PL3, which means it will equally satisfy the demanding enthusiasts who requires manual controls, albeit taking more steps. I just wish the PEN series cameras do not "warm up" the shutter curtain every time it switches on.


Having Fun?
An entry-level camera needs to be fun to use so that beginners can manipulate their images to create interesting effects. The E-PM1 offers 6 Art filters but they are not as wide-range as some competitors (you can however apply these Art filters in PASM mode, which is usually not available on competitors). The E-PM1 also does not have much post-editing options. It does have a Live Guide mode to help the user to adjust the camera using non-technical terms, like

• Change Colour Image (a.k.a. White Balance)
• Change Brightness (a.k.a. EV)
• Blur Background (a.k.a. Aperture)
• Express Motions (a.k.a. Shutter)

Conclusion
The Olympus E-PM1 is possibly the most customisable entry-level mirrorless compact cameras around. It might not seem to offer much entertainment to beginners, but it captures images fast. Its premium feel, compact size and low price would certainly attract consumers who are foraying into interchangeable lens system.

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S: Review

Sony Ericsson and I were old friends. Before there were slim phones, there was Ericsson T28. Before there were colour screen phones, there was Sony Ericsson T68. Before there were touchscreen smartphones, there was Sony Ericsson P800. These are phones that I had the privilege to own and experience.

Now, there is Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S, the phone with an arced back. The moment I switch on the phone, the crisp LCD display impressed me. Specs in summary:

• 117 grams
• 1.4GHz Qualcomm processor (not dual core)
• 8.1 megapixel Exmor R Camera f/2.4
• 4.2-inch Reality Display TFT LCD 854x480 pixels
• Shatter-proof sheet on scratch-resistant mineral glass
• 320MB system memory
• 2nd microphone at the back of the phone near the camera lens
• HDMI mirror output (excellent!)
• Capture screenshot easily by opening the power button menu

Xperience
Being a single core, the arc S certainly cannot match the processing power of dual-core phones, but it certainly feels fast when navigating among apps, perhaps partly due to the fast screen animations. Like every other branded Android phones, Sony Ericsson customised the OS and included a handful of pre-installed apps and custom settings. I like the data monitor app that tracks data usage, the LiveWare Manager that auto-launches app when accessory is connected. When you pinch the home screen, instead of displaying all the pages like most Android phones, the Xperia arc S shows all the widgets floating around, and you can shake the phone to shuffle them. I also like how the installed apps can be easily sorted by tapping the sort icon on the lower left of the app list screen. Saves a lot of trouble searching for apps.

Timescape is Sony Ericsson's answer to managing your social feeds, including SMS, email, Facebook, Twitter. You can find dozens of plug-ins in the Android Market, for instance, Foursquare, Gmail. Timescape merely aggregates the feeds, and when you select the item, it will bring you to the app or online to retrieve the full information.

Battery life is no worse than the average Android phones, considering it runs on higher processor. I can last one working day of usage despite turning on Timescape, Gmail and Tweetdeck.

Capturing Images
The Xperia arc S comes with a dedicated camera button at an extreme corner. The 2-step shutter button is small and stiff, so I find it hard to take a shot without jerking the camera. The button would be useful only to start the camera easily, but I would prefer activating the touch-capture mode to snap your images.

As for the camera quality, The Xperia arc S is touted to perform well under low light conditions. A simple comparison with the Samsung Galaxy S2 shows the following result:

Xpera arc S vs. Galaxy S2. Scene Mode: STD

The Galaxy S2 refuses to shoot at higher exposure despite increasing the EV. So I switched to Night Scene Mode on the S2 and got this:

Xpera arc S vs. Galaxy S2. Scene Mode: STD vs. Night

The Xperia manages to capture decent images under low-light normal mode, while the Galaxy S2 captures more details at lower noise level after coaxing it with Night Mode. If I were to switch the Xperia to Night Mode, the shutter speed became far too slow for me to shoot handheld. The result then seems to be the reverse of the Samsung - underexposed.

Xpera arc S vs. Galaxy S2. Scene Mode: Night

Conclusion: Xperia arc S standard scene mode is more flexible in capturing images for all lighting conditions, but noise level is generally higher than Galaxy S2.

Weaknesses
As a top-range model, the Xperia arc S lacks many features that are present in other competitors.

• No front-facing camera for video chats or self portraits.
• Small system memory to hold all your apps. Once you run out of system memory, you will not be able to add more apps, unless you install supported apps on external SD card.
• No built-in user memory. The Xperia arc S relies on the external microSD card to store user data.
• Lock screen does not have any direct music player controls when media is playing. A shame considering Sony Ericsson to be associated with portable music players.

Summary Impression
The Xperia arc S stands out to me as a uniquely designed lightweight smartphone that provides above-average screen display and OS performance with 1.4GHz processor. It is integrated with Facebook connectivity, and together with Timescape, encourages ease of social interaction. The HDMI-out port lets the user share content on large HDTV easily. I like the interface theme and animations are smooth. Consumers who want a touch of style for their phone should look at this.

Updating iPhone 3GS to iOS 5

Over its useful product life, the iPhone 3GS experienced 2 major iOS updates, from the factory-released iOS 3 to the present iOS 5. I must say it is certainly the most value-for-money smartphone I have owned. I managed to update my phone within 12 hours of the release of iOS 5. Apart from difficulty in connecting to iCloud and iMessage, the update was smooth.

Here's a video that gives you a good summary of the list of features available on iOS 5.

Features that I like:

PC Free. You no longer need iTunes to get your iPhone started. iPhone will guide you through a few wizard steps to get your iPhone up and running without requiring you to plug your iPhone to a PC/Mac near you. As part of the PC-free experience, you will be able to update iOS firmware over the air without iTunes. You can also choose to sync your phone with iTunes over Wi-Fi. When enabled, your iPhone will automatically start syncing with your iTunes over Wi-Fi when your phone is plugged to charger and when your phone goes idle.

Operate While Sync. During iTunes Sync with USB, you can still operate the phone. You can still use iTunes to do what you are used to all these years. And you can get used to the ability to continue to operate the phone even during Sync operation.

Notification Center. The most important and possibly life-changing feature of iPhone, you can drag down the status bar to reveal the Notification Center where all your unread notifications appear. You no longer need to scan through all your apps to look for the red bubble and find out what you have missed.

Photos Management

• Camera button. The Up Volume button can now be used as a shutter button.
• Edit Photos. You can edit photos inside the Photos app.
• Create Album Folders. You can create album folders and add photos from other albums to them.

Content-management and PIM

• Twitter Integration. You can seamlessly share your content on Twitter without third-party apps.
• Reading List. You can save any web page as text-only format and read it later.
• Apps Usage Summary. You can see which apps use the most storage in your iPhone, and uninstall or clean-up the data.
• Email formatting. You can format your email text - bold, italics, underline, etc.
• Calendar view. You get a better experience using the calendar.

iCloud. Another major feature for iOS 5, iCloud offers every registered user a 5GB online storage which can be used to backup your iPhone data, to host your new iCloud PIM - email, contacts, calendar and tasks. Very much similar to Google's suite of PIM apps.

iMessage. It's a hybrid of WhatsApp and IM, which allows you to send multimedia messages over data network. iMessage detects your recipient and turns from the usual green bubble to blue bubble if he is also on iMessage. If you sent message to the recipient's mobile number, only his iPhone will receive the message (like WhatsApp). If you sent message to the recipient's email address, then all his iOS devices that are registered with the email address will receive the message (like IM).

What are some of the iOS 5 features absent in the 3GS model:

• Camera shortcut button. You can't start the camera from the lock screen.
• Reminder by Location. There is no option for you to set to remind based on location.
• Vibrate alert. You can't create your own custom vibrate pattern alert.
• Siri.

What are the known issues when updating 3GS with iOS 5? Based on peer feedback:

• Battery drains faster than previous OS, due to more Cloud activity.
• The phone runs with noticeable lag when opening some apps.
• The phone is generally less stable, but with app updates, this problem could go away over time.

If your current 3GS feels rather slow and unstable with the kind of usage load you are experiencing, perhaps you should consider upgrading to a new iPhone. If your phone is working fine and are wondering whether you should update the phone, then please read this blog again from the top. If you follow the iTunes instructions, you should be able to restore all your apps and settings in the new OS. Still, be prepared for any mishaps and backup all your valuable data before embarking this major software update.

Dell Inspiron 13z Laptop in Pink

Dell has revamped its Inspiron line with the "z", which is associated with Dell's ultra-portable line. Currently available in Diamond Black and Lotus Pink, I was passed a copy for review.

With a 13.3" 1366x768 LED screen, the Inspiron 13z weighs 1.76kg and less than an inch thick. I really like the colour of the limited pink edition review unit, which is like dark magenta in real life. I like it because it is eye-catching without looking too gaudy. The size is also quite right for a portable laptop, but you sacrifice a lot of connectivity options compared to the usual 14-inch models.

• HDMI
• 2x USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed)
• 1x USB 2.0
• Ethernet Port
• Integrated headphone and microphone jack
• Bluetooth 3.0
• SD/MMC/MS card reader
• 1.0 megapixel webcam
• Intel Wireless Display (WiDi)

All ports, except the AC charger, have covers.

Built with the latest Intel Core i processors, the Inspiron 13z battery life per charge is pretty good. For non-processor intensive activities like web surfing or word processing, you can get almost 10 hours with the 6-cell battery. When running apps that utilise the processors, like watching high-definition videos or photo editing, battery life expectancy drops to about 5 hours. I like how the 13z sleeps and wakes up quite fast.

The pre-installed software, Dell Stage, helps you to access multi-media content easily without having to go through the various folders. Dell DataSafe offers you backup and restore to local or online storage. Three hardware buttons at the top right of the keyboard provides instant access to common settings, online help, and configurable shortcuts. You can use the built-in webcam to log in using facial recognition.

My daughter is attracted to its colour and webcam app.

The audio quality has been optimised to provide crystal clear sound. The 2 tiny speakers placed at 2 edges below the laptop delivers good stereo imaging. Dell has mindfully removed any trace of bass, which was unfortunate, but probably for the better, since there is no way for small laptop speakers to deliver any kind of oomph lest you risk audio distortion which happens to a lot of other laptops.

Likes:

• Sleek design with covered ports
• Aluminium palmrest plate and touchpad in pink (they should have made the keyboard pink too!)
• Sharp and vibrant display with the right amount of screen gloss
• Speedy startup and performance - my review unit runs on i5-2430M 2.4GHz 4GB DDR3 RAM 320GB 7200rpm harddisk 
• Sharp and brilliant display
• Clear audio fidelity
• Larger 6-cell battery elevates the laptop at an angle

Dislikes:

• Not as many ports as the larger laptop models.
• Lacks DVD drive, but that's a compromise for a lightweight laptop
• No VGA port, which means you might not be able to conduct presentations through projectors
• The spacebar is only sensitive in the middle, resulting in many typing misses
• Trackpad is too close to the keyboard, resulting in frequent accidental touches while typing

The Dell Inspiron 13z is a head-turner, just like the XPS 15z I reviewed a while back. It's unique selling points are the striking colour, premium-looking minimalist design, thin and lightweight. But I find the keyboard difficult to type, nor is the touchpad responsive for multi-touch gestures. The laptop also lacks many connectivity ports that we are familiar with in 14-inch laptops. I won't give high marks for overall usability but I'm sure sold by its design and quality.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Tab Reviews

Although the iPad 2 is the undisputed leader in the segment of tablets, there are many other features that deserve more than a second look. For example, there Xoom Motorola and RIM BlackBerry Playbook. However, the most viable alternative seems to be the Galaxy Tab 10.1. It is the next evolution after the success of the original Galaxy Tab which included the implementation of the first tablet operating system Android. This time, however, it will use the latest version of Android Honeycomb - an OS designed with a user interface in tablet form.

Samsung Galaxy Tablet Specs

The latter model has a great leap forward in functionality. The CPU is very appreciated 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2. The screen real estate is larger at 10.1 "with a generous resolution of 1280 x 800, providing advanced visual. It also comes with Bluetooth and GPS modules. The rear camera has a sensor 3 megapixel camera that can record 720p video, while the front-facing camera has a 2 megapixel sensor, handy for video conferencing and similar applications Tablet Samsung 10.1 will be available in two variants depending on the connectivity options Internet: WiFi and 3G ... It weighs 1.25 pounds compared to single books of the iPad2 of 1.33 As for thickness, it also blows away the competition comes to a razor thin 8.66mm. Can be the best attribute of this mobile device is its excellent battery life, with a 7000mAh unit that can provide up to 9hrs of video and 72 hours of music.

Date Samsung Galaxy Tab Press

The 10.1 will be available from June 8. The launch will take place at the Great New York Best Buy outlet. For other retailers, availability will begin June 17 The 3G version will appear in late summer. The European launch date is still to be determined.

Galaxy Tablet Price

With such a fantastic list of specifications, people might think the price is out of range for them to buy the Samsung tablet. This is far from the truth, however, that the prices are quite reasonable at $ 499 for 16 GB of storage and $ 599 for the 32GB version much more spacious. Please note that prices quoted are for the model Wi-Fi only.

Samsung Galaxy Tab review

If a feature comparison is made between all the tablets of the first plan, there is no doubt that the Supreme Galaxy Tab out. Its dual-core CPU NVIDIA is accompanied by graphics technology with enough muscle for advanced games. The graphical interface offers unparalleled user experience with the OS Honeycomb. Each application can be started and operated without any difficulty. Those who like to browse YouTube videos and online games will be pleased to know that fully supports Flash.

The Samsung Galaxy Tablet has a bigger screen and better than the iPad 2 - perfect for HD playback. The TouchWiz UI and custom capacitive screen combine for unmatched responsiveness. Anyone looking for a good Android tablet for mobile computing and connectivity should give it a try.

The author spent much time learning Samsung Galaxy Tab and other related topics. Learn more about Samsung Tablet at the site of Vincent O'Neil.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6356318

- Samsung Galaxy Tab Review -

MY FIRST BLOG POST

Hi guys...this's my first blogpost and you might seem this a little awkward but don't worry...this is only the beginning ...the best part is yet to come..
Through this blog I could help you out to solve your problems what ever it is....you could find exclusive contents through this blog.....I am here to bring you all those special contents from the world of internet.through "NetPowerInfo"...support me...

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Best of Piano Spa: Serenity

Warner Music Singapore has released the second Piano Spa compilation since "Piano Spa: The Timeless Collection" in April 2010. This new compilation, titled Best of Piano Spa: Serenity, is the perfect companion to the "Timeless" compilation. You will be pleased to know that there are no duplicate tracks between the 2 collections.

This new album collects 4 CDs totalling 48 tracks from Piano Spa 1 - 5. If you have missed the previous 5 albums, there is no better time to get both compilation albums.

Get your copy at all good music stores before they sell out.



International Order: please click the below Paypal button to purchase at US$29.95 including shipping charges.