Leica's M Monochrom is an $8000 camera that only takes B&W shots

Black and white photography is particularly dramatic with all the mood and shadow it conveys. Leica has gone ahead and created a high end digital camera that shoots only black and white photos and it costs a whopping $8,000. There's no punchline, but this does present some interesting questions. Like why not just offer users the option to switch to black and white option when they want to colour-free images.

Leica has actually created a camera  dedicated  black and white sensor without a colour filter that lets in more light. The camera can also add three toning colors to its monchrome output or its uncompressed DNG files can be edited using the included copy of Photoshop Lightroom. A full version of the mono processing software Silver Efex 2 is also included.

Here are the specs:

• 18MP CCD monochrome sensor (24 x 36mm)
• No anti-aliasing filter
• No color filter array
• ISO 320-10,000 (with a 'Pull 160*' option)
• 2.5" 230,000 dot rear LCD
• Supplied with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro 2

Source:  DPReview.com

Olympus reveals OM-D Micro Four Thirds camera

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Olympus has released the much awaited OM-D Micro Four Thirds camera. Inspired by its iconic namesake, the OM-D is a rugged, splashproof and dustproof 16 Megapixel camera that brings many notable innovations to the line of ILC's (Interchangeable Lens Cameras). Available starting April 2012, the OM-D will cost $999.99 (Body only, available in Black and Silver), $1,299.99 (Black or Silver body with black M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens) and $1,099.99 (Black body with black M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens). Hit jump for complete details plus out first impressions on this exciting new camera.

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Panasonic releases 'Slimmest 20x Zoom Camera'

One of the trends we are going to see this year is increased zoom capacity in slimmer point and shoot camera bodies. This will challenge the traditional superzoom look and feel which has largely copied that of the DSLR but with a slightly thinner body.

Panasonic revealed a series of new cameras recently and one of the more interesting models is the Zs20 which they say is the slimmest 2x optical zoom model in the market today. Ar 1.1 inches deep, it is thinner than all of the 20x zoom cameras in its class.

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Review: Olympus E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds Camera

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla        

Olympus has been a pioneer in the (Interchangeable Lens Camera) market with its PEN line of Micro Four Thirds cameras which came to market two years ago. Now, with competition from the likes of Sony, Samsung, Pentax, Panasonic and most recently Nikon, the market for compact yet full features camera bodies and lenses is heating up.

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