Sun
1) CANON DIGITAL REBEL XTI SLR, $1,175 BODY ONLY, $1,350 WITH 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6 ZOOM LENS. ARRIVES MID-SEPTEMBER.
Canon is back this fall with yet another version of its hugely popular Digital Rebel. The XTi, with its 10.1-megapixel capability, will not replace the XT, which remains in Canon’s lineup. One of the XTi’s biggest selling points will likely be a state-of-the-art self-cleaning dust removal system (following on the heels of Olympus, which already offers its own version). As well, the XTi sports a redesigned CMOS censor, a larger, easier-to-read 2.5-inch display screen, and simplified menu navigation.
2) NIKON COOLPIX S10 DIGITAL CAMERA, $479.95.
Vibration reduction is the big word this year in digital cameras, and the new 10x zoom, 6.2-megapixel Coolpix s10 from Nikon is no exception in touting this technology, along with an easier-to-use interface. The 2.5-inch LCD screen features a 170-degree viewing angle that Nikon says lets users compose shots with greater accuracy. The one-touch portrait button allows instant access to face-priority auto-focus, in-camera red-eye fix, and special lighting for underexposed images and shots with too much backlight.
3) OLYMPUS STYLUS 750 DIGITAL CAMERA, $449.95.
If you’re looking to take a camera with you that fits easily in your pocket, sheds rain and beats off the elements and has solid image stabilization (a handy thing to have if you want to shoot action or your hands get the shakes), then the 7.1-megapixel Stylus 750 could be for you. Certainly, its intuitive menu and array of feature buttons is remarkably easy to figure out for the amateur who wants to take pictures without too much fuss and muss. Comes with the usual array of modes that allow for portrait shooting, fireworks and night shots.
4) GRIFFIN FIREWAVE 5.1 SURROUND SOUND BOX FOR THE MAC, $100 US.
If you’re a gamer on a Mac (which used to be an oxymoron) or just like to blast out music while you sit at the computer keyboard, then this new device from Griffin could keep your ears happy. With it between you and your speakers you can get a clear listen to Dolby Digital encoded DVDs in 5.1 surround, or use Dolby Pro Logic II to make any audio source jump to the jive, whether from iTunes, QuickTime, or streaming audio.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
