Christmas is fast approaching and it’s around that time when your loved ones start dropping hints about – or straight up tell you – what they want to find lovingly wrapped under the tree come Christmas morning. If you suspect (or pretty much know) that this special something is a top notch Digital SLR camera, then help is at hand: we have selected the 3 best Christmas buys to help you decide.

Buying a digital SLR is not as straightforward as buying a digital camera. We believe the 3 cameras we’ve chosen have a price tag and specification to a range of owners. They are:

CANON EOS 50D 17-85 IS KIT

The E0S 50D is designed with beginners and professionals in mind. Its 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor – which can reach sensitivity levels of up to ISO 6,400 – and 6.3 frames per second, is more than good enough for a pro photographer there are plenty of other features that are bound to get those who are excited by neat gadgets and clever technology. For a start, the focus can be seen though the camera’s 7.6cm Live View LCD display, as well as its viewfinder. The display is also equipped with face recognition feature. The EOS 50D is also compatible with Compact Flash UDMA cards allowing you to copy files at the same rate. For those who are serious about photography but are just starting out, this is a great choice because of its lens. The increase in quality in the 50D compared with smaller lenses is big and so is its range, meaning you can have versatility with shooting without having to buy more lenses and changing lenses while shooting. At first, at least…

Canon EOS 5D MKII + 24-105 F4 kit

While the E0S 5D MKII shares various features with the E0S 50D, such as its magnesium alloy body and incredibly high ISO speed capability making them both ideal for shooting in the lowest of low lights. Its step up in price is certainly justified by the step-up in sheer capability.

For a start is has outstanding resolution; utilising Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor and 3.9 fps to create outstanding reproduction of colours and subtle tonal gradations. The E0S 5D MKII also features 21.1MP full frame CMOS sensor which captures images that surpasses the standards demanded by the leading picture agencies.

This clarity is extended it perhaps its best feature: Full HD movie recording. That’s 1080p, 30fps and can capture to memory card without losing the ability to capture usable still images that are equally striking and bursting with colours and details.

In terms of preparing and reviewing shots; its extra large viewfinder allows for a true wide angle experience and its High-res 3” VGA LCD (again with Live View) displays three types of auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and Face Detection Live AF. Each automatically locks onto faces detected in the frame and allows for ultra-detailed image review in a variety of conditions.

Last but not least; it will last you. The E0S 5D MKII has an Integrated Cleaning System that offers three ways of guarding images against the effects of internal dust build-up.

SONY DSLRA350X

The DSLR-A350 is a particularly good choice of SLR if you’re used to standard digital camera technology and are looking to make the transition to SLR. It’s easy to set up your photos on this camera, because just like a digital camera with regards to how the navigation, reviewing and monitoring is displayed on its 2.7 inch screen. It also tilts upwards and downwards to help find the perfect shot in even the most awkward positions – particularly good if you’re the type of photography who loves to experiment with angles and compositions. Especially because the model includes Quick AF Live View which gives you the added benefits of fast, accurate autofocus plus live image preview when setting up shots through the display screen.

Sony’s equivalent to Canon’s DIGIC 4 is its BIONZ processor; a high-resolution sensor that delivers 14.2 megapixel images of incredible precession, sharpness and noticeably less noise effects compared with other SLR cameras.
Overall, the DSLR-A350 is engineered for non-nonsense photography. It’s versatile and includes features designed to make capturing atmospheric, unusual images in varying light conditions with optimum ease and security. For instance, its SteadyShot feature reduces camera shake when taking handheld shots – which is hugely beneficial if you regularly use high-zoom with your shots.

PS3 movie lovers have been waiting a long time for Video On Demand (VOD) content to be available, and now Sony have rewarded their patience with the announcement that VOD services will be available from November this year.

Speaking at the GamesCom in Cologne, the newly appointed President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Andrew House, informed the packed conference yesterday that “PlayStation is becoming the home of entertainment from games to music channels, from creative platforms to virtual pets. The addition of the PlayStation Network video delivery service for PS3 and PSP provides a simple way for PlayStation owners to access movie content and enjoy the latest blockbuster whenever and wherever they choose.”

Although the service will only offer movies initially, it is expected to expand to include local content over time.

Sony also put the all the rumours regarding a slimmer and cheaper design to bed by making it official. Available from September at £249.50, the new 120 GB PS3 is about two-thirds the size of the original console, with a reduced power consumption of two-thirds.

For those eagerly awaiting the launch of a larger OLED TV by Sony, it seems that a level of patience will be required as this will not happen now until at least 2010.

According to a recent leak to the Wall Street Journal, Sony will instead refocus their attention to producing more LCD TVs, particularly the budget entry level market.

Sony was the first company to launch a commercial OLED TV with the $2,500(!) 11 inch XEL-1 in 2007, instigating the popularity of OLED prototypes at electronic trade shows.

The Wall Street Journal speculated that this move may give rivals Samsung and LG more time to release their own lower priced OLED HDTVs. In fact, LG have already announced that they have a 15 inch OLED TV in production which is due for release in December this year, with 32 inch OLED TVs available by 2012.

Recently, there has been increasingly growing speculation that a new streamlined and cheaper PlayStation 3 will soon be available.

Sony, who are due to make an announcement at this years Gamescom conference in Cologne tomorrow, have so far dismissed talks of a reduction in price as just rumours and speculation.

However, one wonders if the fact that retailers have been struggling to replenish their stocks of the current PlayStation 3 console is an indication that a slimline version is on its way.

Rumours are also surrounding the Xbox too, US technology sites recently revealed a shake up of the company’s pricing structure and Microsoft may lower the price of the Xbox 360 – it is thought the Elite console with 120GB hard drive will be reduced by £60 to £170.

Whether these are only rumours or true will be revealed very soon!

What are your thoughts on the current costs for the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360? 

Another ‘world first’, and this time its Samsungs turn with the release of these nifty compact dual screen digital cameras.

The ST550 and ST500 digital cameras have a second 1.5 inch LCD in the front of the camera which enables you to frame yourself.  Then, using the Smart Gesture User interface with the built in orientation sensor, all you need do is simply tap the camera to get it to perform certain tasks like focusing or firing off the shutter.

There are definitely some pretty impressive features with these cameras. Like the ‘Children’ mode for example, where the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention whilst their photo is being taken. Smart Face Recognition technology remembers faces it sees frequently and automatically prioritises them when focusing on future shots. ‘Beauty Shot’ mode is a nice feature too where facial skin is retouched to three different user defined levels for smoother and brighter skin tones.

The LCD screens on the back of these digital cameras are huge – 3” for the ST500 and 3.5” for the ST550 in fact, almost four times the size of many other digital cameras. Both are 12.2 mega pixel cameras with a 27mm Schneider Kreuznach wide angle lens and 4.6x optical zoom, plus they record HD video in 1280×720p resolution at 30 frames per second in H.264 format giving you more room on your memory card for images and movies.

Steve Mitchelll, General Manager of the Samsung Digital Imaging Division Marketing said “these cameras are the very first of their kind”. These uber cool digital cameras will be released in the UK at the end of August 2009. 

The IFA show in Berlin next month looks set to be the stage for Panasonic to showcase their full HD 3D TV technology, due to be launched to the consumer market next year.

The IFA, one of the worlds largest consumer electronics and home appliances trade shows, has been running since 2006 and is open to both industry experts and the general public.

One of the highlights of the Panasonic stand will be their 3D Cinema Experience area which will include two cinemas fitted out with its full HD 3D home cinema system (with a great deal of polarised glasses on standby too one would imagine!), where visitors can watch 3D film trailers, as well as take part in an “unparalleled 3D experience”.

Panasonic said its IFA demo “goes well beyond today’s conventional 3D technology, with far superior Full HD picture quality and a lifelike viewing experience”.

Source: What HiFi

Ever had an occasion where something funny or moving has happened and you wish you caught it on camera? Well, wish no more as Sony have yet again have come up trumps with their forward thinking technology.

The Sony Party-shot IPT-DS1 is digital camera dock that pans 360 degrees and tilts 24 degrees, automatically adjusts composition and takes photos for you!

Sony refer to this as a “personal photographer” and its easy to see why. You can control the pan angle range, movement speed, shooting frequency and flash mode, the Intelligent Scene Recognition, Face Detection and Smile Shutter ensures your pictures are of smiley happy people.

The Party-shot digital camera dock is currently compatible with Sony’s new Cybershot cameras – the DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1. Pricing information is not yet available for the UK, but this innovative conversational party piece is available for around $150 in the US.

Does this sound like a great idea to you? Or, do you prefer to decide for yourself the moments you wish to capture?

Toshiba announced plans to join the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and introduce products to the market that support Blu-ray, finally putting an end to the format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Back in 2002, Toshiba together with Microsoft and NEC proposed a replacement for DVD for high definition movies in the form of HD DVDs. Meanwhile, Sony and a group of other companies announced their intentions to unite with a Blu-ray disc. Over several years Sony, Toshiba and other industry heavy weights went head to head against each other which unleashed increasingly heated debates on both of these formats taking place.

The battle was affectively over last year when Warner Brothers joined other major movie studios in deciding to abandon releasing films in the HD DVD format, shortly afterwards several North American rental services and retailers announced their exclusive support for Blu-ray products. The release of the Sony PlayStation 3 with a Blu-ray player built in also helped considerably too.

In a statement released by Toshiba they said, “In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA."

Freeview have recently claimed that 50% of UK homes will be able to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup in high-definition on Freeview. This follows an earlier announcement by ITV that a full HD version of the channel will be available from the end of this year.

ITV has reached an agreement with the BBC to lease digital terrestrial bandwidth. The first area to receive ITV in HD will be Manchester with the services being rolled out throughout major cities after this including Bradford, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Liverpool.

Unfortunately, in order to watch ITV in HD, new set top boxes will be required with new technology standards, as well as HD LCD TV or Plasma TV – however it is anticipated that these set top boxes will be available to purchase later in the year.

The BBC will be launching their own Freeview HD service soon. This is due for launch later this year but is already currently available to Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat customers.

The Nintendo Wii game Sports Resort has so far proved to be a great success for Nintendo. The game which includes the MotionPlus peripheral has resulted in an outstanding 500,000 units sold – in only eight days!

The Will MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii control pad and allows for a more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation thus redefining game control.

Nintendo’s decision to include the MotionPlus peripheral with selected games has seemingly put them on to a winner, so much so that the Nintendo Wii release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour is considered by many to be THE definitive version of the game.

Countering the argument that the Nintendo Wii should have offered the accuracy in controls in the first place, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto says this was not possible at the Wii’s launch. Speaking to the Telegraph he said:

“It’s a continuous evolution. Not all the Wii software requires Motion Plus, so it is appropriate for us to position it as a peripheral. Also, it was not technically feasible for the technology to be realised with such a compact size. The fact we are now being able to sell Motion Plus at this price, at this size, is the result of technological advancements in the field of microelectro-mechanical systems, which took place after Wii launched. It was only after the Wii launched that technological advancements made Wii MotionPlus possible.”

  Have you tried MotionPlus? If you have, lets us know what you think of its accuracy.