Cameras cameras cameras
In a surprise post-PMA announcement, Canon unveiled the newest addition to the Rebel line, the Ti1. Or the 500D for the europeans. I think I like the numerical nomenclature more. Highlights include 15MP, HD video recording, increased frame rate (3.4/s), and hi-rez lcd similar to the 50D and 5DII. ISO sensitivity has also increased to 3200 native, and upwards of 12,800 expanded. Viewfinder size is the same as the predecessor 450D — though still larger than the 400D and 350D. AF is the same. 450D battery and SD memory. Interestingly, the ISO12,800 result looks acceptable.
Separating it from the xxD line is the lack of AF-on button and larger pentaprism based viewfinder. And sRAW.
This leaves me with a lot of choices in the $1,200 and less category. Should I get a used 5D, 50D? Or a new 500D or Panasonic HG-1? The 5D has the largest viewfinder, the largest pixels, and battery compatibility. No live view though. 50D has a nice LCD, live view and a more down to earth 7.1MP sRAW which I think would work well in conjuction with the high ISO sensitivity. 500D has a nice mix of high res and high iso, with an inbetween frame rate (which is less important now that I’m better at timing my shots). Video recording would be a big plus. Or the Panasonic and a 20mm f/1.7 lens (when it actually comes out)? Articulating screen, semi-high rez lcd, EVF (not a big fan of, but haven’t seen this one in person) and also HD recording. But contrast based AF. Decisions decisions.
Perhaps a 5D for the full frame and build and later on a Panasonic for the screen and smaller size? Then replace my current 350D in another couple of years? That’s a large number of cameras. No need for hoarding here…
In other news, there’s a new TTL flash for canon, the 270ex. There’s no display on the back; everything is controlled by the camera. But it does finally have tilt. This might be good for clubs and dingy places when it’s not convinient to bring the off camera speedlites and having to manually set them.