Earbuds - Here`s How

Vol. X1 No.3
Lifestyle technology made easy
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Editor’s Note
HERE’S HOW!
Lifestyle technology made easy
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An Age Thing
p4
The lead feature in this issue of HERE’S HOW! is Daniel Baird’s pro½le of Canadian rocker Neil Young. In “Waging Heavy Sound,” Daniel explains the 67-year-old musician’s disillusionment with digital audio.Young has called
the time since the mid-1980s, when CDs ½rst appeared, “the darkest time ever for recorded music.”
One can understand the dismay of musicians like Young at the poor transfers of their recordings onto CD
in the early days of digital. All too often, record companies made CDs from tapes that had been mixed and
equalized for vinyl, instead of going back to original studio masters. Moreover, mixing engineers had yet to
develop techniques that would minimize noise and distortion that obscured subtle spatial and tonal details.
While it may not have delivered on its advertised promise of “perfect sound, forever,” the CD medium
was capable of far more. Every music lover has heard CDs that sound absolutely wonderful, where you
can’t help getting lost in the music.These digital gems were already appearing by the late 1980s.
The 1990s and 2000s brought another unwelcome development for audiophiles: the rise of online music
distribution, using compressed formats. “Lossy” formats like MP3, WMA and AAC reduce ½le sizes and
download times by squeezing out sounds that (theoretically) are masked by louder sounds. But especially at
low bit rates, the effects are audible to careful listeners.
Young hopes to reverse these trends though a venture called “Pono,” which will offer downloadable
studio-quality digital music, with much higher resolution than CD, along with devices to play them on. Pono
won’t be the ½rst provider of high-resolution music, however. Already, online stores like HDTracks (not
of½cially available in Canada, but there are easy workarounds) cater to listeners who want uncompressed
digital music, high-resolution if possible.
The question is, how many listeners care? As Daniel notes in his feature, listening habits have changed.
Apple developed the iPod and iTunes store to cater to the mobile majority who listen to music everywhere, almost always through headphones. When you’re listening to music on your morning run or your
evening commute, the effects of digital compression are masked by your surroundings. And chances are,
you’re not paying that much attention.
But for careful sit-down listening, these things do matter.Through a good head-½ set-up or high-½delity
speakers, you can de½nitely hear the effects of lossy compression, especially at low bit rates.Through a
high-resolution playback system, a careful listener can hear subtle differences between CD-resolution
(44.1kHz/16 bits) and higher-resolution ½les (I’ve done some comparisons using 96kHz/24-bit ½les; Pono
will use 192kHz/24 bits).The higher-resolution versions are a bit more re½ned, a bit more spacious.
Do people do this kind of listening anymore? Not the majority, certainly; but lots of people do. And
they’re not just boomers with time on their hands. Love of great music and great sound isn’t an age thing.
There’s an interesting parallel with photography. In “Zooms Versus Primes,” Gene Wilburn outlines some of
the bene½ts of single-focal-length prime lenses, and explains how these change one’s approach to picturetaking. Prime lenses can render scenes in a beautiful manner that is beyond the capability of most zoom lenses.
In two recent Photo Tips of the Week, available at www.hereshow.ca, Peter Burian extols the convenience of
zoom lenses, which began to dominate the photography market about the same time CDs appeared.
This issue will appear right at the start of the Holiday Rush, so we’re offering four massive Gift Guides in
the print edition: one each devoted to audio-video components, digital imaging, gadgets and wireless, and
creativity gifts; plus our Gear of the Year picks.You’ll ½nd two more Gift Guides, one on computing and gaming, one on home and kitchen gifts, on our Website.
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Enjoy the season, and enjoy the issue. HH
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Contents
Editor’s Note .........................................................................................................................................4
An Age Thing
Waging Heavy Sound ............................................................................................................8
Digital Culture: Canadian music icon Neil Young thinks digital technology ruined
recorded sound. He hopes he can change this, by offering high-resolution digital
music online, and devices that will play these ½les. Daniel Baird chronicles Neil
Young’s quest for perfect sound
Gordon Brockhouse offers dozens of gift suggestions for home and portable
entertainment, ranging from take-anywhere iPod speakers to computer-audio
gear to giant-screen TVs
Contents
Audio-Video Gift Guide.................................................................................................14
Audio-Video Gear of the Year..........................................................................22
Our favourite AV components of 2012, chosen by Gordon Brockhouse and John
Thomson
Time to Cut the Cord ........................................................................................................24
Audio Hands-on: Bluetooth headphones let you enjoy music on the go without
getting tangled up in cables. Brent Butterworth reviews wireless headphones
from Denon, Parrot and Sennheiser
Zooms Versus Primes ........................................................................................................30
p6
Digital Imaging Here’s How: Most photographers like the convenience and ¾exibility of zoom lenses, but single-focal-length prime lenses offer real bene½ts for
low-light and creative photography. Gene Wilburn explains the tradeoffs
Digital Imaging Gift Guide.........................................................................................36
Gift ideas from Peter Burian for all the digital shutterbugs on your list, from inexpensive books and accessories, to high-grade cameras and lenses
Digital Imaging Gear of the Year .................................................................44
Peter Burian chooses the top ½ve imaging products of 2012
8
A Touch of Class...........................................................................................................................46
Digital Imaging Hands-on: Photographers don’t always want to lug around a
DLSR kit. Peter Burian reviews four compact high-grade cameras that deliver
DSLR-calibre features and image quality
Gifts for Creators .......................................................................................................................54
If you have an artist, photographer, writer, scrapbooker or musician on your gift
list, Gerry Blackwell has the perfect high-tech gift idea
Gadget Gift Guide .....................................................................................................................60
Wireless phones and accessories, tablets, toys and other nifty gadgets for your
favourite technophile, selected by Ted Kritsonis
Gadgets of the Year...............................................................................................................64
Ted Kritsonis and Frank Lenk choose their top ½ve gadgets of 2012
Online Only
You’ll ½nd two more Gift Guides at www.hereshow.ca. Check out Frank Lenk’s
Computing and Gaming Gift Guide on our Website, along with his Gear of the
Year picks. And Sarah Jane Silva offers suggestions for home and kitchen gifts.
Visit www.hereshow.ca regularly to ½nd Peter Burian’s Photo Tip of the Week,
Gerry Blackwell’s weekly Travel Tech column,Ted Kritsonis’Take on all things technical, the Gadget Talk Blog, technology news as it breaks, and much, much more.
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Neil Young and the quest for high-resolution audio
p8
W
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Digital Culture
By Daniel Baird
Last summer, while sitting in a small, hole-in-the-wall bar in Toronto’s Kensington
Market, I found myself listening to an old-timer reminisce about the scene in
Yorkville in the 1960s. “I used to see Neil Young there all the time, just this skinny
kid with long hair and a guitar and a ¾oppy hat set out in front of him,” he said. “I
think he was already playing some of the songs he got famous for. He drove me
nuts. I was playing across the street and I had a pretty sweet voice, but no one
ever gave me any money. But there he was, his guitar out of tune and his voice
off-key, and his hat was always full!”
For anyone interested in popular music in North America, this is something of
a primal scene, like hearing Robert Johnson in a juke joint in the Mississippi Delta
or Lead Belly in the yard of a Louisiana penitentiary or Bob Dylan at open-mike
night at a Greenwich Village café: great musicians at their most authentic, before
their sound and personalities were changed by success and the attention of
concert promoters, record producers, and audio engineers.
By the time Young arrived in Toronto from Los Angeles for his legendary
Massey Hall concerts in the winter of 1971, he was already a rock star and had
just bought the 1,000-acre Broken Arrow Ranch in the beautiful Santa Cruz
Mountains of Northern California. Decked out in jeans and a brown corduroy
jacket, hair hanging down over his massive brow, his eyes wandering and strange,
Young still looked like he could be busking for change in Yorkville, his sound by
turns intimate and raw. He also seems like the last person who would concern
himself with technology.
But that is misleading. By 1971,Young had already released two of his most important albums, Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (1969) and After the Gold Rush
(1970), and was in the process of recording Harvest (1972). All three eventually
went platinum. One of the reasons for the distinctive sound of those albums (and
many to follow) is that Young’s longtime producer David Briggs was behind the
console in a very sophisticated multi-track recording studio, and later created the
mix that is on the master tape from which the vinyl records were made.
Even the sound the sold-out audiences heard at Massey Hall was in part
created by state-of-the-art microphones and ampli½ers and a sound system that
professionals tweaked during sound checks, so that when Young ripped through
“Old Man” and “Helpless” and “Cowgirl in the Sand,” his normally thin, reedy
voice soared above the guitar. Being a successful professional musician is no longer even remotely like playing on a street corner or in a juke joint or in a prison
yard; being a recording artist today is to be very, very involved in technology.
p9
The State of Sound
Photo by Larry Cragg.
HH52.indd 9
Young turns 67 in November and has just published a memoir, Waging Heavy
Peace. In January 2012, more than 40 years after the Massey Hall concert, he arrived at the ½ve-star Ritz Carlton in the Southern Californian seaside town of Laguna Niguel (once a hangout for surfers, hippies, and musicians, now a playground
for the rich) for an onstage conversation with the founders of the D: Dive into
Media conference. Sideburns long and grey, face creased and jowly,Young’s voice,
with its distinctive Anglo-Canadian accent, had lost the wan melancholy it had in
earlier years, and was now that of a lively and cranky old man.
Young, who isn’t known for being media-friendly, was at D: Dive into Media to
speak his mind about the state of audio, especially as it pertains to the quality of
songs downloaded onto portable devices like the iPod. “My goal is to try and rescue the art form that I’ve been practicing for 50 years,” he said, almost scowling
as he restlessly swiveled in his chair. “We live in the digital age and, unfortunately,
it’s degrading our music.”Young continued, “The MP3 has only ½ve per cent of the
data present in the original recording…The convenience of the digital age has
forced people to choose between quality and convenience, but they shouldn’t
have to make that choice.”
Young is by no means new to paying close attention to audio technology, to
what in the D: Dive into Media conversations he refers to as “both sides of the
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Digital Culture
p10
donkey,” from the recording and
mixing stage to the form in which
consumers listen to the music in their
their living rooms or cars or while
walking down the street. He was one
of the ½rst users of the now-defunct
Haeco-CSG technology, which made
it possible to create stereophonic
LPs that can be played on monaural
equipment without distortion or imbalance; this was especially important
at a time when one of the principal
ways of disseminating music was AM
and FM radio. (Ironically, the HaecoCSG technology seriously degraded
sound quality and caused nightmares
when attempting to transfer masters
made using the technology into a
digital format).
Young was also at the forefront of
artists speaking out against the quality
of digital audio. “From the early 1980s
up till now, and probably for another 15 years to come, this is the darkest time
ever for recorded music,”Young commented in 1992, just two years after the
Compact Disc achieved near-complete market dominance, and four years before
the ½rst MP3 players became widely available. “We’ll come out on the other
side and it’ll be okay, but we’ll look back and go, ‘Wow, that was the digital age, I
wonder what music really sounded like.’ We got so carried away we never really
recorded it. We just made digital records of it.”
This dark time for recorded music, which has, from Young’s point of view, become considerably darker since 1992, is apparently nearing its end. “2012 will be
the year the record companies release high-resolution audio,” he wrote in A Message from NY in May of 2011. “Since the advent of the CD, listeners have been
deprived of the full experience of listening. With the introduction of MP3s via
online music, listeners were further deprived.” He continued, “The spirituality and
soul of music is truly found when sound engulfs you and that is just what 2012
will bring. It’s a physical thing, a relief that you feel when you ½nally hear music the
way artists and producers did when they created it in the studio.”
HH52.indd 10
Young appears to have rejected digital audio altogether in 1992. With analog
recording, whether on the cylinders Thomas Edison introduced in 1915 or the
magnetic tape Everybody Knows This is Nowhere was recorded on, the sound
waves created by the musicians are literally mimicked by the recording medium.
With digital, electrical impulses are translated into strings of ones and zeros that
assign a numerical value to the sound level thounands of times a second.Young’s
invective is mostly directed at the low resolution of CDs and MP3 ½les compared
with the original studio masters, or for that matter with old LPs. Whatever one’s
stance on digital versus analog (there is no mathematical reason why binary code
can’t accurately represent sound waves), the debate quickly becomes philosophical and subjective.
Studio Quality
Few people would dismiss Young’s complaints about Compact Discs and music
downloads as entirely baseless: the 16-bit processing and 44.1kHz sampling
rate in which all CDs are encoded was the minimum engineers thought they
could get away with. It’s just enough
to produce full-bandwidth sound
with imperceptibly low noise, but it
doesn’t leave much room for error.
And it’s far below the 24-bit/192kHz
coding that is now used in most recording studios. Compressed formats
like MP3, WMA and AAC degrade
the sound even further (though the
effects vary depending on how many
bits are used to encode the sound).
These “lossy” formats squeeze out
data so that ½les can be downloaded
quickly and stored ef½ciently. Nonetheless, as Young himself acknowledges, digital audio is here to stay.
Though the quality of CDs,
especially re-mastered versions of
analog music, has improved since the
1980s, there is little anyone can do
about the current format. High-
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Digital Sound Projector
YSP-3300
p49
Total focus on achieving
the finest sound.
Slim Digital Sound Projector with powerful woofers and Wireless
Active Subwoofer ensure extraordinary surround sound performance,
with wireless music streaming and easy placement.
ca.yamaha.com
HH52.indd 11
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Digital Culture
p48
p12
From Heart of Gold, 2006 concert documentary.
resolution alternatives, like the Blu-ray Discs included with the vinyl issue of the
Neil Young Archives Volume 1 box set, have had little appeal to anyone other than
hardcore audiophiles. What can be done is to make available studio quality digital
downloads and devices capable of playing them. And that is precisely what Young
is attempting to do.
Young apparently exchanged telephone calls and e-mails with Apple founder
and visionary Steve Jobs about creating just such a system. At the D: Dive into
Media conference,Young asserted that Jobs was “a pioneer of digital music, but
when he went home, he listened to vinyl.” Nothing ultimately came of it and the
project was dropped.
But as Young likes to say, he is a high-resolution audio evangelist, and not easily
discouraged. According to Waging Heavy Peace, by 2011 he had created a Silicon
Valley startup he initially called PureTone with Mark Goldstein as CEO and was
cruising around Northern California in his 1953 Buick Skylark demonstrating the
difference between studio masters and low-resolution downloads to potential
investors. Craig Kallman, Chairman and Chief Executive of Atlantic, provided
money up front, and helped Young put together a team that included experts
from Meridian Audio and Dolby Laboratories.
Renamed Pono (“Pono” is the Hawaiian word for “righteous;”Young owns an
estate in Hawaii), no one other than Young and his associates seems certain what
exactly Young is promising, other than high-resolution audio for the masses. A hint
came in June 2011, when Young ½led to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Of½ce
for an array of trademarks like “21st Century Record Player,” “Earth Storage,”
“Thanks for Listening,” “Storage Shed,” and “SQS (Studio Quality Sound).” According to the application form, the goods and services Young will be offering will
include “high-resolution music downloadable from the Internet; high-resolution
discs featuring music and video of music and artistic performances,” as well as
online and retail stores offering such products.
HH52.indd 12
Pono, which will be available at some point in 2013 (2012 turned out to not
be the game-changing year Young hoped it would be), will provide studio-quality,
24-bit/192kHz ½les downloadable in approximately 30 minutes without loss of
information from a cloud-based music store. Although many hard drives can
handle such ½les, no portable devices can, so Pono will also offer a portable
device similar to the iPod that can hold something on the order of 30 high-resolution albums (around 300 songs) at the same time.The Warner Music Group
has already converted its 8,000-album library to the 24-bit/192 kHz format that
Pono demands.
Ease of Access
Steve Jobs may or may not have been an audiophile. While Jobs transformed the
music industry and collaborated with ½gures like U2 and Wynton Marsalis, there is
no evidence in Walter Isaacson’s de½nitive biography, Steve Jobs, that Jobs preferred
vinyl or was frustrated with the sound quality of songs played on the iPod.
When Jobs took the stage at the Apple of½ces in Cupertino, CA (less than
an hour’s drive from Young’s Broken Arrow Ranch) to announce the launch of
the iPod in 2001, his focus was not on sound quality, which he claimed would be
equivalent to CD; his focus was on convenience. What Jobs realized was that, in
the years since the advent of the Walkman in the 1980s and the MP3 player in
the 1990s, the way people consume music had fundamentally changed.They no
longer primarily sat in their living rooms with their stereo systems.They listened
to music as they went about their day, jogging in the park in the morning, walking
down the street, sitting on a plane or bus, even at work. Jobs was simply providing
a better and more convenient product for people to do what they were increasingly doing: small and elegant and with an ultra-thin, 5GB hard drive.This was a
device on which, as Jobs said, “your whole music library ½ts in your pocket.”
The big question for Young and Pono is whether ordinary consumers will want
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Digital Culture
to re-purchase their music collections in a higher-resolution format and buy a
new portable player to hear it, especially when the availability of music at 24bit/192 kHz, the Warner Music Group’s archive aside, remains relatively limited.
Will people ½nd the longer download times and limited storage capacity of the
new devices worth it for the sake of better-quality sound?
There are many precedents for consumers choosing convenience over quality
in recorded music: Edison’s cylinders lost out to Victor’s discs because discs were
less bulky and easier to use; LPs won out over 45s because they are longer-playing;
CDs won out over vinyl and tape not only because they promised cleaner sound
but because they appeared to be more durable and let listeners ½nd any track with
the click of a button. Digital downloads have won out over CDs, despite (for the
most part) lower audio quality, because you can download a song or entire album
wherever and whenever you want, and be listening to it in minutes.
“The challenge of music right now, I don’t think it’s a quality issue,” Shawn
Layden, Sony Network’s Chief Operating Of½cer, has said. “Music lovers worldwide are mostly keen on convenience of access.” Pono’s uncompressed ½les will
most likely cost more, require consumers to buy a whole new device that will
store fewer songs, and involve signi½cantly longer download times than they are
accustomed to (it will require some ½ve hours or so to download the average
album). All these factors mitigate against Pono, especially for impatient younger
consumers.There is little evidence that they are seeking out high-resolution audio
from other available sources.
One is not likely to ½nd a future Neil Young banging out songs on a street
corner in Yorkville these days.Yorkville is now the home of Louis Vuitton and
Prada and Cartier, and upmarket audio stores like Bay Bloor Radio. Walking into
Bay Bloor Radio, one of the ½rst things one notices is an entire wall of turntables
whose prices range from $450 to $5,000. “Most of the people who come in
here to buy a turntable are already set up with a CD player and an MP3 player,”
said Chris Rose, one of the store’s salesmen. “They are either people in their 20s
with their ½rst decent jobs who are discovering their parents’ vinyl collections, or
they are people in their 40s or 50s who are re-discovering the vinyl records they
listened to when they were young.”
Although Rose’s customers may like the sound of vinyl, it is telling that they are
not looking for the way music originally sounded in the studio. With the advent of
sophisticated multi-track recording, from the Beatles’ landmark Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Hearts Club Band to Def Leppard’s Pyromania to Radiohead’s OK Computer, it’s
unclear whether there ever was a studio sound to begin with.They are, rather,
looking to expand their experience beyond their customary listening habits. Pono
may end up having a very small, specialized audience.
But Young is an evangelist for high-resolution audio and really isn’t in this for
the money; he makes it clear in Waging Heavy Peace that he’s a bad businessman.Young is in this because he is an artist and music is his passion and he thinks
everyone one should have relatively easy access to studio-quality recordings.
Whether people want to pay for it is not really his problem. HH
p13
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Audio-Video Gifts
p14
By Gordon Brockhouse
Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, no type of gift will give greater pleasure than a well-chosen audio-video component. Whether it’s a giant-screen TV
for the whole family or a portable iPod speaker that your kids can take to the park, the right AV gift will deliver enjoyment long after it’s opened.
The theme for audio-video products in 2012 is connectivity. This year’s components are designed to communicate with smartphones and tablets, and
with the Internet.
In addition to the products in this Gift Guide, be sure to check out our Gear of the Year picks to get our take on 2012’s most innovative AV products.
Yamaha R-S300 PKG
This component system is perfect for introducing the smartphone
generation to hi-½ sound. It combines Yamaha’s R-S300 stereo
receiver with a matching iPod/iPhone dock and a pair of NS-BP300
bookshelf speakers.To listen to music from your iPhone or iPod,
plunk it into the dock. Or you can beam sound wirelessly to the dock
from any Bluetooth-equipped smartphone or tablet. Finished in gloss
black, each speaker houses a 5.25-inch cone woofer and one-inch
dome tweeter.The receiver is rated at 50 watts per channel. $629.
www.yamaha.ca
Klipsch Image One Bluetooth
These foldable on-ear headphones feature Bluetooth, so you can
stream music wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet.They employ
Bluetooth aptX, for improved audio quality. Built into the earcups
are volume, play/pause and track forward/back buttons, as well as an
integrated microphone for hands-free conversation. For comfort, the
Image One Bluetooth
features an adjustable leather
headband and memoryfoam earcups.The rechargeable battery is rated
for 10 hours of call time
and music playback. $279.
This distinctive speaker dock can accept an iPad as
well as iPhone or iPod in its top-mounted dock. It
also has built-in Wi-Fi, and supports Apple’s AirPlay
protocol, so you can stream music wirelessly over
a home network from an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch,
or iTunes library on a PC or Mac. Or you can pair
the ND8520 with any Bluetooth smartphone or
tablet for wireless music streaming. An 80-watt
ampli½er powers side-mounted stereo speakers
and a downward-½ring woofer. $350.
www.klipsch.com
www.lg.ca
HH52.indd 14
LG ND8520
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio-Video Gifts
Marantz MS7000 Consolette
This gorgeous, high-end speaker dock blends retro and modern elements.The curved wood speaker enclosure
sits atop a control section that takes design cues, such as a gyro wheel and circular display, from classic Marantz
components. Be½tting the distinguished brand, the Consolette houses a lot of sophisticated technology. It’s a
triamped system, with dual mid-bass drivers powered by a 2x50-watt ampli½er, dual tweeters powered by a
2x25-watt amp, and a shared woofer with a 50-watt ampli½er. It has built-in Wi-Fi, along with AirPlay so that you
can stream music from an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch (or from an iTunes library on a PC or Mac) over a home
network, and DLNA support so that you can stream music from DLNA-compliant Android and Windows
devices. When not in use, the dock is hidden in a sliding drawer. Available in black and white/silver ½nishes. $1,350.
www.ca.marantz.com
Pioneer XW-SMA3
Pioneer’s XW-SMA3 wireless speaker lets you enjoy streaming audio anywhere in your home, or outside on
the patio. It has built-in Wi-Fi networking and support for Apple’s AirPlay, so you can stream music wirelessly
from an iPod touch, iPad, iPhone or an iTunes library on a PC or Mac.There’s a USB port on the back of the
speaker, so you can charge your i-device’s battery while you listen to music.The XW-SMA2 is also DLNAcompliant, so you can stream music from other DLNA devices, like Windows PCs and Android smartphones. For outdoor listening, the XW-SMA3 has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery; and it’s water-resistant.
Sound comes from a pair of three-inch mid/bass drivers and one-inch tweeters. $429.
www.pioneerelectronics.ca
Paradigm Soundtrack
p15
The Soundtrack system from Paradigm lets you add full-range stereo sound to a ¾at-panel TV.The system
consists of a soundbar that sits under the television, plus a wireless subwoofer.The soundbar contains two
4.5-inch mineral-½lled polypropylene mid-bass drivers, two four-inch passive radiators and two satin-anodized
dome tweeters. On the rear are digital and analog inputs for connection to your TV, or sources like Blu-ray
players and cable boxes.The soundbar sends bass sounds wirelessly to the matching subwoofer, which
contains an eight-inch laminated bass driver and 100-watt digital ampli½er in a dual-ported enclosure. Snap-on
feet for table mounting and a snap-on wall mount are included, along with a remote control. $700.
www.paradigm.com/shift
PSB Alpha PS1
Perfect for computer audiophiles, the Alpha PS1 is the ½rst multimedia speaker from the distinguished Canadian speaker brand PSB. Each gloss-black enclosure houses a 3.5-inch polypropylene woofer and .75-inch
aluminum dome tweeter. Power comes from an internal 2x20-watt Class D digital ampli½er.You can connect
the Alpha PS1 to a PC, smartphone, tablet or game console.There’s an output jack for an optional powered
subwoofer. $350 per pair.
www.psbspeakers.com
Sharp LC-90LE745
This could be the ultimate family gift: at 90 inches, Sharp’s LC-90LE745 is the biggest
LCD/LED television available in Canada. (Priced at $4,800, Sharp’s 80-inch LC-80L644
is the second biggest.) The result is a truly theatrical viewing experience. Seated 10 feet
away, the picture ½lls your ½eld of vision, just like a cinema screen.The 3D-capable LC90LE745 features full-array LED backlighting, AquaMotion 240 video processing, built-in
Wi-Fi networking, and network services like Net¾ix, Skype and YouTube. $10,000.
www.sharp.ca
HH52.indd 15
11/13/12 1:59 PM
LM8600
Magic
Remote
Voice
Optimus G
Easy To Use
Easy To Connect
Easy To Enjoy
Motion, Gesture, Scroll, and Voice.
A smarter remote for a smarter TV.
Smartphone, Tablet, and PC Friendly.
It’s never been easier to connect your
digital world to your LG Smart TV.
Netflix™ and YouTube™ are just the
begining. Enjoy all the content you
love with LG’s Smart TV.
LG.com
Find LG CANADA on:
1
HH52.indd 16
Third party services depicted may be changed, removed, or interrupted, without notice, and LG makes no representation or warranty that any content or service will remain available for any period of time.
Internet connection & subscriptions required and sold separately.
11/13/12 1:59 PM
LM8600
CINEMA GLASSES
mode for multiplayer gaming
Comfortable 3D
Immersive 3D
Dual Play
Lightweight, Battery-Free, and
Affordable. 6 pairs of Cinema 3D
glasses included.
Maximized Picture, Minimized Frame.
A stunning TV design that blends
seamlessly into your home’s decor.
No more screen peeking! View two
player split-screen 2D games in full
screen simultaneously.*
For a small percentage of the population, the viewing of stereoscopic 3D video technology may cause discomfort such as headaches, dizziness or nausea. If you experience any symptoms,
discontinue using the 3D functionality and contact your health care provider. 4 to 6 Cinema 3D glasses provided. Additional Cinema 3D glasses sold separately.
*Dual Play glasses required and sold separately for use of the LG Dual Play feature on 2012 LG Cinema 3D TVs.
HH52.indd 17
11/13/12 3:06 PM
Audio-Video Gifts
Sennheiser Momentum
These over-the-ear headphones are aimed at audiophiles who want the Sennheiser sound for on-the-go listening.The lowimpedance design is easy for small portable ampli½ers to drive; and the closed circumaural earcups block out ambient noise.
The headband and ear cushions are both made of breathable leather for maximum comfort.The Momentum comes with
a standard 3.5mm headphone cable, as well as a cable with inline controller for managing your music and microphone for
managing your phone calls. $399.
www.sennheiser.ca
Samsung DA-E750
Samsung’s premium wireless speaker dock has an unusual design element: two vacuum tubes,
visible underneath an circular window on the top surface, are employed in the preamp stage
to add warmth to the sound.The sound is indeed warm, but not as articulate as the NAD Viso
1, which won our Gear of the Year Award in 2011.The DA-E750’s gorgeous high-gloss cabinet
houses mid-bass drivers and tweeters on the front panel, and a shared woofer that radiates
from the back.There’s a dual dock that pushes out from the back panel. It has a 30-pin connector for Apple devices, plus a micro USB port for connecting Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
The DA-E750 will charge your Galaxy device while it’s docked, but sound is streamed over
Bluetooth.You can pair the DA-E750 with any Bluetooth device, including Samsung HDTVs
equipped with Sound Share, for wireless streaming.The unit also has built-in Wi-Fi, and support
for AirPlay, for wireless streaming from an iPod touch, iPhone or iPad. $700.
www.samsung.ca
Yamaha PDX-11
Perfect for young listeners, this compact speaker dock lets you take your music
anywhere.There’s a dock on the top for iPods and iPhones, and a 3.5mm audio input
on the back for other devices. Sound is produced by a four-inch woofer and 1.4-inch
tweeter. For on-the-go use, the PDX-11 will play for eight hours from a set of six AA
alkaline batteries; and it comes with an AC adapter for at-home listening. Available in
black, blue, green and white. $129.
p18
www.yamaha.ca
Mirage Omni Speakers
A speaker lineup with a distinguished Canadian pedigree is making a return appearance. Like the original Mirage Omni series,
which was introduced in 2002, the second-generation models employ OmniPolar technology. On the top surface of the
curved enclosure is an upward-½ring mid-bass driver. Suspended above the cabinet is a one-inch aluminum dome tweeter
½tted into an OmniGuide sub-enclosure.The combination radiates sound in a spherical 360-degree pattern, making for a very
spacious sonic presentation.There are two ¾oor-standing models: the Omni 350 with dual 5.5-inch woofers ($449 each) and
Omni 550 with dual 6.5-inch woofers ($549 each).The Omni 550 ($449 per pair) is a bookshelf speaker with single 5.5-inch
woofer. Also available is a centre-channel speaker (Omni C150, $349) and 800-watt powered 10-inch subwoofer
(Omni Sub, $659); given their applications, neither uses OmniPolar technology. All models have black ash ½nishes.
www.miragespeakers.com
Boston Acoustics TVee 10
Tivoli Model One BT
With its wooden cabinet and retro-styled tuning dial, the Tivoli
Model One BT looks like a classic table radio. It combines an AM/
FM radio with Bluetooth capability, so you can stream music from any
Bluetooth-capable device. Available in walnut/beige, cherry/silver, black/
silver, black ash/black and white/silver ½nishes. $270.
This compact soundbar lets you add stereo sound to a ¾at-panel TV with a simple one-cable
connection.The three-inch-deep enclosure houses two stereo 2x5-inch speakers and a 30watt ampli½er. It has both digital and analog inputs, and comes with connection cables.You can
adjust volume with your TV’s remote, or use the touch-sensitive controls on the front. $250.
www.bostonacoustics.com/ca
www.tivoliaudio.ca
HH52.indd 18
11/13/12 1:59 PM
HH52.indd 19
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio-Video Gifts
Front Row Seating Cuddle Chair
This made-in-Canada chair is perfect for couples who like watching movies together. Like all furniture from Front Row
Seating, it features a corner-blocked dried hardwood frame and no-sag, squeak-proof springs.The frame and springs are
covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Prices vary based on fabric, and start at $1,345.
www.frontrowseating.com
Sanus Alabaster Collection
Burson Audio HA-160DS
This is a wonderful gift for audiophiles who prefer headphones to speakers for serious home listening.The Australian-built HA-160DS combines
an ultra-quiet headphone ampli½er and high-resolution digital-to-analog
converter (DAC) in one handsome package. In addition to a pair of analog
audio inputs, there’s a USB input for connection to a PC or Mac (maximum
resolution is 96kHz/24 bits), and a coaxial digital input for connection to
components like Blu-ray and CD players, as well as PC sound cards with coaxial digital outputs (maximum resolution is 192kHz/24 bits). Sound quality
is superb, with a dead-quiet background so you hear every detail. $1,000.
This beautiful series of audio-video furniture from Sanus comes completely pre-assembled,
so you can leave your toolbox in the basement.The line includes a 73-inch-wide video cabinet that can accommodate TVs to 80 inches ($1,700, shown here), a 53-inch-wide video
cabinet for TVs up to 60 inches ($1,300), and a 42-inch-high tower for audio components
($1,099). All models are constructed of high-quality hardwoods and veneers.They feature
vented shelves that keep your AV components cool, and cable management to keep
everything neat and tidy. A tool-free removable back panel provides easy access to your
components.The two video cabinets have built-in power bars. All models have concealed
casters that allow for easy movement, and are available in caramel and charcoal ½nishes.
www.sanus.com
p20 www.bursonaudio.com/HA_160DS
Samsung UN75ES9000
If you’re looking for the coolest, sexiest TV on the planet as a family gift, look no further than
Samsung’s top-of-the-line TV for 2012.The bezel of this 75-inch LED-edgelit TV is ultra-thin,
so the picture appears to ¾oat in mid-air, and has a beautiful metallic rose blush.Thanks to
sophisticated Micro Dimming processing, the ES9000 produces wonderfully deep blacks,
even in a completely dark room, along with bold, vibrant colours.The ES9000’s extensive
set of Smart TV features goes way beyond basics like Net¾ix and YouTube, to include
downloadable apps like the excellent Khan Academy educational videos. And it excels in
connectivity, allowing you to view content stored on PCs, smartphones and tablets. $10,000.
KEF LS50
www.samsung.ca
This speaker will resonate with two-channel audiophiles who got into sound during
the 1970s.To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the U.K. speaker brand KEF has created
a compact speaker inspired by the classic BBC LS3/5a monitor. Instead of LS3/5a’s
boxy shape, the LS50’s high-gloss piano-black enclosure
is more moulded and rounded. Its Uni-Q driver
employs a one-inch inverted aluminum dome
tweeter with KEF’s Tangerine waveguide
situated at the acoustic centre of a 5.25-inch
aluminum-magnesium mid-bass driver. When
we heard the LS50 at the CEDIA Expo in September, we were struck by how deep it could
go and how loud it could play, given its compact
size, and by its midband neutrality. $1,500 per pair.
Available in red, black and white, this pretty little sound system is ideal for use in
kitchens, bedrooms and dens.You can play CDs, or play music from an iPhone,
iPod or iPad connected to the system’s USB port. It also has built-in Bluetooth,
so you can stream music wirelessly from a smartphone or tablet. $369.
www.kef.com
www.ca.onkyousa.com
HH52.indd 20
Onkyo Colibrino CS-355
11/13/12 1:59 PM
HH52.indd 21
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio-Video Gear of theYear
1
1 Pioneer SHDA100 App Radio
p22
This innovative component brings the mobile
Internet to your dashboard. Load Pioneer’s
free AppRadio app onto an iPhone 4 or 4S,
or compatible Android device, and you can
control select apps from the radio’s seven-inch
capacitive touchscreen. Not only can you play
music from your mobile device, you can view
appointments, contacts, maps and photos. App
Radio also works with a growing number of
apps that cover functions like navigation, traf½c
information, Internet radio and streaming music.
Other featuers of the SH-DA100 App Radio
include an AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth connectivity, rear-view camera input and a 4x50-watt
MOSFET ampli½er. $500.
www.pioneerelectronics.ca
2
2 LG LM9600 LED TVs
LG’s Nano LED HDTVs earn Gear of the Year recognition for several reasons, starting
with drop-dead cosmetics, including an ultra-thin bezel that makes the picture appear
to be ¾oating in mid-air. Unusually for TVs this slim (1.5 inches), these employ full-array
LED backlighting.The Nano LEDs have dimples on front to disperse the light.That,
plus the use of barriers to keep light from bleeding from one sector of the screen to
another, result in a claimed 99.9% light uniformity across the screen, astoundingly high
for any LCD television.
The LM9600 feature extensive smart TV features, and a dual-core processor to
speed things along. What we especially like is the MagicMotion remote, which allows for
mouse-like free-form navigation of the Smart TV functions and menus.
These are 3D TVs; and like all of LG’s Cinema 3D TVs for 2012, the LM9600 TVs
have a great application for 3D, aimed at videogamers. For gaming applications, LG
offers two-packs of 3D glasses with matched lenses. One pair shows left-eye images to
both eyes; the other pair shows right-eye images. When playing a two-person console
game, viewers put the LG TV into 3D mode, use the TV’s 3D menus to select the
formatting used by the game (side-by-side or top-and-bottom), and then don their 3D
gaming glasses. Not only do players see a full-screen instead of a truncated image, they
see only the image for their character, not their enemy’s, preserving the element of
surprise. In demonstrations we’ve seen, it’s astoundingly effective.
$2,300 for the 47-inch 47LM9600, $2,800 for the 55-inch 55LM9600.
www.lg.ca
HH52.indd 22
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio-Video Gear of the Year
3 NAD C390DD
NAD describes this all-digital integrated ampli½er as a “powered DAC.”The C390DD has a full suite of digital inputs, including optical and digital SPDIF for sources like
CD and Blu-ray players, and USB ports for computers and portable drives. All ampli½cation and control functions are performed in the digital domain, so there’s no
noise – as in none at all.You can turn the amp all the way up with nothing playing, put your ear to the loudspeaker, and you hear nothing.The C390DD’s digital processing functions include bass management, making it easy to add a subwoofer, and bass equalization, to address acoustical problems in the listening environment.
The ampli½er will accept two optional MDC
(Modular Design Construction) modules: one with
analog inputs and phono stage, and one with HDMI
inputs and output for using the C390DD as the centrepiece a 2.1-channel home-theatre setup. But its real
strength is digital music. In every demonstration of the
C390DD I’ve heard, I’ve been struck by this ampli½er’s
effortless neutrality and superb dynamics, an impression borne out by third-party test reports. It’s an ideal
single-box solution for computer audio. $2,600.
3
4
www.nadelectronics.com
4 Panasonic Viera
VT-50 Plasma TVs
There are thinner, sexier ¾at panels on the market but that’s not to disparage
the looks of Panasonic’s top-of-the-line plasmas for 2012. While not ultra-thin,
their bezels are slimmed down substantially from 2011’s VT30 series.They have
built-in Wi-Fi, and a set of smart TV functions that cover all the basics,
like Net¾ix and YouTube (an optional camera adds Skype capability). In addition, Panasonic offers a extensive range of TV apps through
the Viera Connect market.The 55-inch TC-P55VT50 ($2,500) and 65-inch
TC-P65VT50 ($4,000) deliver where it matters most: picture quality. Even in a
completely dark room, blacks are anthracite-deep.Tonal and colour gradation
are likewise excellent, imparting a wonderful depth to the picture.The fast panel
means there’s no blurring, regardless of the motion on the screen. A knock
against plasma TVs has been their suitability for bright rooms, but that doesn’t
apply here.The VT50s are wonderfully satisfying for bright daylight viewing. In a
dark viewing environment, they’re simply stunning. For movie lovers and video
purists, these are the TVs to beat right now.
www.panasonic.ca
p23
5
5 Parrot Zik
We were wowed when we saw a prototype of the Zik headphone
at the Consumer Electronics Show back in January, and subsequent
experience has con½rmed our initial impressions.This is the coolest headphone on the planet right now.You swipe controls on the
earcups to adjust volume or select tracks. When you take the Zik off,
music pauses, then resumes when you put it back on. It’s also a very
comfortable headphone, so that you can keep it on during a long ¾ight.
The Zik also has Bluetooth wireless connectivity, an effective noisecancellation, and punchy, dynamic sound.You can read a full review
elsewhere in this issue. $429.95.
www.parrot.com/zik
HH52.indd 23
11/15/12 2:10 PM
p24
TIME
TO
CUT
THE
CORD
BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADPHONES FROM
DENON, PARROT AND SENNHEISER
By Brent Butterworth
After more than a decade on the market, Bluetooth wireless technology is ½nally
starting to make an impact in the headphone world.Two years ago, when I tested
practically every Bluetooth headphone on the market, there were only eight or
10 models available, and just one was from a big-name headphone brand. Now
it seems most of the major players in the headphone business either offer or are
planning Bluetooth models.
For audio enthusiasts, this is a welcome development, because Bluetooth
makes headphones so much handier. Slip your smartphone into your pocket and
you never need to worry about snagging your headphone cable on the furniture
or the family cat. I love wearing Bluetooth headphones while working on my
bicycles, especially after I accidentally destroyed a set of wired headphones when
the cable got caught in my gears.
Most Bluetooth headphones include a microphone and playback controls that
work with any type of smartphone. Lots of wired headphones feature in-line
microphones and playback controls, but most of those work only with Apple
products.
There’s only one downside: Using Bluetooth is prohibited on airliners.That’s
a shame, because if there’s anywhere we could use a little less clutter, it’s in a
coach seat on a six-hour transcontinental ¾ight. Fortunately, most Bluetooth
HH52.indd 24
headphones include a cable that lets you bypass the wireless connection when
necessary. Most of them can also keep playing even when the internal battery
runs down, as long as you use the cable.
When I conducted that ½rst Bluetooth headphone survey, the only big name
in the game was Sennheiser, whose headphones sounded much better than the
competitors’.The company’s $329.95 MM 500-X remains in the line, although
Sennheiser recently updated it with the addition of Apt-X, a technology that
improves sound quality of Bluetooth transmissions when used with compatible
smartphones, tablets and computers. (A noise-cancelling version, the $499.95
MM 550-X, is also available.)
I wondered, though, how the MM 500-X would compare to some of the new
entrants in Bluetooth headphones, so I requested samples of two new models.
One is Denon’s $499.95 AH-NCW500SR Globe Cruiser, which combines
Bluetooth, active noise cancellation (ANC) and a new trapezoidal design shaped
speci½cally to ½t the human ear.The other is the $429.95 Parrot Zik, created by
acclaimed designer Philippe Starck and incorporating Bluetooth, ANC and a slick
touch-sensing control that lets you adjust volume and skip tracks with a swipe of
your ½nger.
The Denon and Parrot headphones offer swanky high-tech features, but could
they match the sound quality of the MM 500-X? To ½nd out, I tried all three headphones with some of my favourite headphone test tracks, including, among many
11/15/12 2:10 PM
Audio Hands-on
With its silver body and supple brown leather earpads and headband, the Globe
Cruiser embodies the elegant, sleek look that sophisticated business travelers demand.
The earpieces fold ¾at so the Globe Cruiser can slip into its surprisingly slim case.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Globe Cruiser isn’t the headphone
itself, but the smartphone app that comes with it.The Denon Travel iOS/Android
app is downloadable free from the iTunes Store or Google Play. It provides a
music player with a ½ve-band equalizer plus presets for different types of music;
TuneIn Radio, an Internet radio service; and a screen that aggregates your mostused travel apps.You can get all these functions in other apps, but it is nice having
them all in one place.
The Globe Cruiser is an on-ear design, meaning that its earpads sit on, rather
than around, your earlobes.To keep the earpieces in place, it clamps ½rmly down
on your ears. For me, the high clamping force made it much less comfortable
than the Parrot and Sennheiser headphones, which are both over-the-ear designs
that place no pressure on your earlobes.
Rather than forcing you to feel around for the volume buttons as you do with
many Bluetooth headphones, the Globe Cruiser provides an easy-to-½nd volume
knob on the right earpiece. What could be simpler? You can start, pause and skip
tracks by tapping on the centre of the right earpiece.This function worked great
with the music player in my Motorola Droid Pro, but wouldn’t work with the
Denon Travel app.
My ½rst impression of the Globe Cruiser is that Denon seems to have tuned
it for a bass-heavy balance, similar to but not as extreme as what you might hear
from Beats headphones. Obviously, that’s a sound that makes millions of people
very happy, but it was too much bass for me. In Holly Cole’s “Train Song,” the
Globe Cruiser’s bloated bass tended to make Cole’s voice and the percussion
instruments in the song sound dull.
Fortunately, a little EQ goes a long way with the Globe Cruiser. By using the
Denon Travel app to reduce the bass at 64Hz and boost the treble slightly at
4kHz, I got dramatically better sound. Using the Bass Reducer setting on my iPod
touch’s own EQ app achieved a result almost as sonically satisfying. Now Cole’s
voice sounded clear and all the details of the percussion came forward.
Thus tweaked, the Globe Cruiser delivered competitive sound. I loved the lush,
smooth, brassy timbre of the cymbals in Steely Dan’s “Aja,” and the gentle yet
detailed sound of James Taylor’s acoustic guitar on “Shower the People” from Live
at the Beacon Theatre.The upper midrange seemed ever-so-subtly boosted, lending
extra clarity to voices, but the voices didn’t sound unnatural and edgy as they often
do in products designed for vocal clarity. In wired mode, the Globe Cruiser’s tonal
balance sounded almost the same, but the sound was more distorted and less clear.
On-ear headphones usually have a tough time blocking out environmental
noise, and the Globe Cruiser is no exception. While I felt it did a slightly betterthan-average job of eliminating the deepest rumbling of the simulated jet engines
around 100Hz (a range many noise-cancelling headphones ignore), it did little
to isolate my ears from the passenger chatter, ventilation hiss and other ambient
noises in my test recording.
Denon AH-NCW500SR: “With its silver body and supple brown leather
earpads and headband, the Globe Cruiser embodies the elegant look that
business travelers demand.”
After some equalization, the gentle yet detailed sound of James Taylor’s
acoustic guitar on “Shower the People” from Live at the Beacon Theatre was
well produced by the Denon AH-NCW500SR.
others, Holly Cole’s “Train Song” (from Temptation), Steely Dan’s “Aja” (from Aja),
jazz guitarist Mike Stern’s “Spirit” (from Voices) and The Cult’s “King Contrary
Man” (from Electric). I sourced the music through Bluetooth from my iPod touch
and Motorola Droid Pro, and also tried all of the headphones wired straight into
the iPod and Droid.
To test the noise-cancelling functions of the Denon and Parrot headphones, I
set up my Butterworth Airplane Sound Simulator (B.A.S.S.™): a pair of Genelec
speakers playing a recording of Boeing 737 cabin noise I made using my Earthworks M30 measurement microphone.This rig effectively turned my of½ce into
something sonically resembling a cramped, noisy airplane cabin. Fortunately, I
could turn it off when I was done.
DENON AH-NCW500SR GLOBE CRUISER
HH52.indd 25
p25
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio Hands-on
p26
Parrot Zik: “Every physical aspect of the Zik reveals thoughtful, polished industrial design.The controls work intuitively and, in my experience, flawlessly.”
PARROT ZIK
When I ½rst saw the Parrot Zik during last January’s Consumer Electronics Show,
I cringed.To me, the touch-sensitive controls on the side seemed like a cool idea
gone awry, likely to inspire frustrated ¾inging of the Zik into the nearest wall. Boy,
was I wrong.
Every physical aspect of the Zik reveals thoughtful, polished industrial design.The
controls work intuitively and, in my experience, ¾awlessly. Just ¾ick your ½nger up and
down along the side of the right earpiece to adjust volume, or forward or back to
skip tracks on your smartphone.To pause playback, tap the center of the earpiece;
or just take the Zik off and hang it around your neck. Almost as if by magic, playback
stops; and when you put the headphones back on, it starts right back up again.
Designer clothing and furniture is often cruel to the human body, but these
designer headphones couldn’t be kinder.Thanks to their softly padded leather ear
cups, I wore them for hours with no discomfort whatsoever. Sadly, Starck didn’t
lend his considerable talents to the design of the carrying bag, which is nothing
more than a soft-sided sack of the type included with many $59 headphones.
Like the Denon Globe Cruiser, the Zik is designed to work with its own smartphone app, although Parrot’s app works only with iOS devices at present.The
Parrot Audio Suite app is incredibly cool and useful. It includes a seven-band EQ, a
switch to activate noise cancellation and a headphone battery-level meter.
Best of all, though, is the app’s Parrot Concert Hall function, which simulates the
sound of speakers in a room.You can choose among four effect levels, from Silent
Room to Concert Hall, and you can adjust the apparent width of the speakers.
Such applications often sound intolerably cheesy, but this one works well, producing fairly convincing “virtual speakers” with a tasteful touch of reverb added. At
the settings I chose, vocals seemed better focused in the centre, and sound was
pleasingly bigger, more ambient and more lively.
With or without the Concert Hall function activated, the Zik sounded impressive. On The Cult’s “King Contrary Man,” the Zik delivered satisfying punch and
dynamics, yet the powerful bass and kick drum never drowned out the details
in the guitar, vocals, cymbals and snare.The Zik’s performance didn’t necessarily
need tweaking, but bringing the 1kHz slider on the EQ down by -2dB opened up
the sound a bit and made vocals, saxophones and other midrange instruments
sound more vivid.
I did hear one ¾aw in the Zik’s sound, but I quickly found two easy ways to
eliminate it.The ¾aw is a “spitty” sound in the high frequencies, probably just a bit
of distortion. But activating the Concert Hall function eliminated it, as did bringing
the 6kHz slider on the EQ down by -2dB. Also, the sound was mediocre in wired
mode; the bass was diminished and voices sounded a bit like they were coming
from inside a coffee can.
The Zik’s noise cancellation feature effectively reduced the low-frequency
rumble of the jet engines in my recording, and also did a ½ne job of cutting out
the airplane’s other ambient noises. It can’t match the performance of the Bose
QuietComfort 15 in this area, though. My measurements showed the QC15’s
noise cancellation was -8dB more effective at 100Hz and -13dB more effective at
1kHz; but I’d still consider the Zik better than average.
What I didn’t like about the noise cancellation is that it can be activated only
through the Parrott Audio Suite app, and only when you’re connected through
Bluetooth.You can activate it then plug in the cable for your plane ride, but a button would have been so much simpler.
On The Cult’s “King Contrary Man,” the Zik headphones delivered satisfying
punch and dynamics, yet the powerful bass and kick drum never drowned out
the details in the guitar, vocals, cymbals and snare.
HH52.indd 26
11/13/12 1:59 PM
PURE. ESSENTIAL.
UNCOMPROMISING.
When you concentrate on the essence of sound, the outcome is pure yet overwhelming:
the new MOMENTUM headphones from Sennheiser. We´ve incorporated only the best
materials and you´ll immediately see, feel and hear the outstanding result.
It makes the difference - just like you do.
www.sennheiser.ca
HH52.indd 27
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio Hands-on
p28
Sennheiser MM 500-X: “It sounds great, it’s comfortable, it’s easy to use, it’s
highly portable, and it’s affordably priced at $329.”
SENNHEISER MM 500-X
Next to many of today’s headphones, the MM 500-X seems like a relic of a past
era, a time when people chose headphones for their sound quality rather than
their cosmetics or brand name.The MM 500-X’s black plastic body isn’t the least
bit sexy, and its ungainly design makes it look more like something you’d wear in a
radio studio than something you’d wear on an airplane or the subway.
While it’s easy to outclass the MM 500-X’s style, it’s tough to beat its pure
functionality. Buttons on the right earpiece let you adjust volume, skip tracks, and
pause and resume playback on your smartphone. Once you know where they
are, they’re easy to ½nd by feel. Even though the earpads aren’t particularly plush,
they’re extremely comfortable; this is one set of headphones that may never
become uncomfortable no matter how long you wear them.The surprisingly
compact canvas carrying case ½ts not only into a computer bag, but even into
many purses.
While the other headphones I tested inspired me to fuss with EQ, the MM
500-X inspired me to sit back and listen. I got all the way though the eight-plus
minutes of Steely Dan’s “Aja” without ever once wanting to make an alteration,
which is pretty remarkable given the tune’s diverse and complex instrumentation.To my ears, everything was in perfect balance.The bass line sounded strong,
precise and melodic, and never overpowered the rest of the mix.The cymbals,
triangle and other percussion instruments gave the tune a lushness that’s rare
to hear in a headphone designed for portable use. Many headphones make the
piano in this recording sound like a cheap spinet, but through the MM 500-X it
sounded like a baby grand.
Only Donald Fagen’s reedy, tough-to-reproduce voice gave the MM 500-X
any trouble. It sounded a little thinner than I’d have liked, but still, the MM 500-X
treated Fagen far more gently than most headphones do.
All of the jazz and pop cuts I listened to sounded great through the MM 500X. Jazz singer Susie Arioli’s rendition of “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good” (from
It’s Wonderful) had a great sense of space, her voice sounding especially ambient
and more like it was in a real performance space.
The only time when I felt like I might want a little more kick was when I
listened to rock recordings such as “King Contrary Man” and Rush’s “Red Barchetta” (from Moving Pictures).The MM 500-X rocked these cuts hard, but a little
more oomph in the upper bass (and, thus, a little more kick in the kick drum and
a little more growl in the lower strings of the guitar) might have pushed me into
sheer musical ecstasy.
As with the Globe Cruiser, switching to wired mode didn’t dramatically change
the MM 500-X’s tonal balance, it just made the sound somewhat more crude
and distorted.
A TOUGH CHOICE
These days, it seems a couple dozen new headphones hit the market every
week. Given the radical differences among them, it’s obvious that there are all
sorts of headphone buyers out there. And considering that listeners often react
differently to the same set of headphones, it’s hard to predict exactly what one
person may or may not like.
For me, the real puzzler in this group is the Denon AH-NCW500SR Globe
Cruiser. It looks great, and it can sound great with some EQ adjustment. But to
my ears, it sounds like it’s voiced for the youth market rather than for sophisti-
Through the Sennheiser MM 500-X, Susie Arioli’s rendition of “I Got It
Bad and That Ain’t Good” had a great sense of space, her voice sounding
especially ambient and more like it was in a real performance space.
HH52.indd 28
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Audio Hands-on
cated business travelers who can pony up $500 for a set of headphones. It’s also
not particularly comfortable, and its noise cancellation is subpar.
Anyone who loves cool design will gravitate to the Parrot Zik. But unlike many
design-oriented products, the Zik offers excellent performance and numerous
useful features. While it’s hard to consider a $400 set of headphones affordable,
when you consider the Zik’s design, sound quality and advanced features, it seems
like something of a bargain.
I’m surprised and delighted, though, to say that the easiest headphone to rec-
ommend here is the Sennheiser MM 500-X. It sounds great, it’s comfortable, it’s
easy to use, it’s highly portable, and it’s affordably priced at $330.Those who need
noise cancelling will pay a hefty $170 premium for the MM 550-X. But given that
I’ve had great experiences with the MM 500-X and the smaller MM 450-X, I
expect the MM 550X is well worth checking out. Look at it this way:You’d probably pay at least $170 for an upgrade to business class, and I’d take a coach seat
with a good set of headphones over a business class seat with the airline’s freebie
headphones any day. HH
DENON AH-NCW500 SR GLOBE CRUISER
PLUS
MINUS
• Elegant cosmetics
• Clever control functions on earpieces
• Useful smartphone app
• Bass-heavy sound (but can be tamed with EQ)
• Mediocre noise cancellation
NUTS & BOLTS
Key features: Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity with aptX support; active noise cancellation; play/pause, volume and
call answer/end control-wheel functions on earcups
Power: Built-in rechargeable battery with rated 10-hour run time per charge; will operate without battery
power in passive mode with wired connection
Supplied accessories: Micro USB cable (for charging battery), audio cable, airline adapter, leather carrying
case with detachable karabiner
Weight: 270g
Price: $499.95
Website: ca.denon.com
p29
PARROT ZIK
PLUS
MINUS
• Gorgeous industrial design
• Very sophisticated control functions
• Impressive sound
• Mediocre sound in wired mode
• Noise cancellation has to be turned on through an app
NUTS & BOLTS
Key features: Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity; active noise cancellation; play/pause, volume and call answer/end/
decline/switch earcup controls; automatic pause when headphones are removed
Power: Removable Li-ion rechargeable battery with rated 24-hour standby operation, 18 hours ANC, six
hours with all features engaged
Supplied accessories: Micro USB cable (for charging battery), audio cable, 800mAh Li-ion battery, carrying case
Price: $429.95
Website: www.parrot.com/zik
SENNHEISER MM 500-X
PLUS
• Superbly balanced sound
• Very comfortable
• Straightforward earcup controls
MINUS
• Plain Jane design
• No noise cancellation
(but this feature is available on MM 550-X)
NUTS & BOLTS
Key features: Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity with aptX support; play/pause, volume and call answer/end/decline/
switch earcup controls
Power: Rechargeable battery with 10-hour listening time, 20-hour talk time
Supplied accessories: Micro USB cable (for charging battery), USB wall charger, airline adapter, audio cable,
carrying case
Weight: 179g
Price: $329.95
Website: www.sennheiser.ca
HH52.indd 29
11/15/12 2:11 PM
Zooms vs. Primes: Which is
p30
Both these photos were
taken with an Olympus
E-M5. For the first, the
photographer used a
Panasonic 45-200mm zoom
lens set to 45mm and its
maximum aperture, f/4. For
the second photo, the
photographer used an
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens
set to f/1.8.The fast aperture
created more background
blur and separation from the
blossoms in back, resulting in
an image with greater
impact. Note too that
the rendering of out-offocus areas (the “bokeh”) is
smoother on the image shot
with the prime lens.
Photos by Gene Wilburn
HH52.indd 30
11/13/12 1:59 PM
Digital Imaging Here’s How
Right for You
By Gene Wilburn
Even before the digital photography era began, most SLR cameras came with a
standard-zoom lens that went from moderate wide angle to short telephoto;
and most point-and-shoot models had built-in zooms.Today, zoom capability is
almost a given. But some photographers swear by “prime” lenses with a ½xed
focal length.
Which raises the question: what exactly are the tradeoffs between primes and
zooms? Should you stick with the convenience of zoom lenses, or opt for the
speed and quality inherent in ½xed focal-length lenses? There’s no right answer; it
depends on the photographer, subject and shooting situation.To help you decide,
let’s look at the pros and cons of both choices and how the decision to use one
or the other affects your shooting style. But ½rst, a little background.
The Age of Primes
Turn the clock back to the early 1960s: civil-rights marches, the Diefenbunker, a
pre-electric Bob Dylan and the meteoric rise of a new type of 35mm ½lm camera: the single-lens re¾ex (SLR). As photographers began using the new Nikon,
Pentax, Miranda,Yashica, Minolta and Exacta SLRs, they wanted extra lenses to go
with them.
It was the age of primes. No matter the manufacturer, nearly every lens made
was a ½xed focal-length optic for the simple reason that, before the days of
computer-aided design, designing good lenses was as much an art as a science.
Primes represented the best glass the industry could deliver.The optical performance of early zoom lenses was noticeably inferior. Zoom lenses have more
elements in them than primes; and it’s a tricky job to get a zoom lens to perform
well optically at every focal length.
The norm was to purchase a body with a “standard” lens, usually 50mm, then
add more lenses as you progressed, typically a 35mm wide-angle and 135mm
telephoto.This enabled you to change perspectives by switching lenses for different subjects. Keen photographers experimented with more esoteric primes like
85mm, 100mm or 105mm short telephotos (ideal for portraiture); 24mm and
28mm wide angles; or long telephoto primes in the 200-400mm range. Well into
the 1970s and ’80s, primes were king.
p31
The Rise of Zoom Lenses
Fast-forward to today, and most photographers use zoom lenses: a moderate
zoom “kit” lens, a telephoto zoom, and often a wide-angle zoom, paralleling the
normal, tele, and wide-angle primes of the beginning photographer’s kit a few
decades ago.
What brought about this revolution was computer-aided lens design.The dif½cult physics and math of creating good optical performance from a zoom lens
over its entire range of focal lengths, as well as correcting chromatic aberrations,
distortion, and inherent lens ¾are, could be modelled and tested on a computer.
Zooms improved dramatically, leading to today’s lenses with their specially coated
elements and engagingly good optics.
The development of autofocus was another key factor that led to the widespread adoption of zoom lenses. Because zooms tend to be slower than primes,
usually starting at an aperture of f/3.5 or f/4, they let in less light.That makes them
dif½cult to focus manually, except in very bright light. With DSLRs, which generally
have dimmer viewing screens than ½lm SLRs, autofocus lenses are essential.
Above all, zoom lenses offer convenience. Why carry a bag of four to six
primes around when one or two zoom lenses can offer greater focal-length
coverage? For the casual photographer who mainly takes shots of the family and
occasional vacation pictures, the zoom lens is all that’s ever needed. And there are
situations where a zoom lens is clearly preferable. For example, when shooting
special events from a ½xed vantage point, the only way to frame a shot quickly to
your liking may be with a zoom lens.
HH52.indd 31
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Here’s How
a zoom.The sweet spot of a lens is its optical performance when stopped down
one or two stops from its widest aperture. At the sweet spot, a lens is at its
sharpest both in the middle and at the edges, and overall is at its best optical performance.That means a fast f/1.4 lens tends to perform at its ½nest at f/2 or f/2.8,
whereas an f/2.8 lens has to stop down to slower f/4 or f/5.6 to reach its sweet
spot. A zoom lens starting at f/3.5 has to stop down to at least f/5.6 to achieve its
best performance.
Some primes can be as expensive as high-end zooms. For example, the Olympus M43 75mm f/1.8, Pentax 43mm f/1.9 Limited, Sigma 85mm f/1.4, and the
Sony Alpha 85mm f/1.4 Planar sell in the $900 to $1,800 range.
But nearly every camera manufacturer offers an inexpensive 50mm or equivalent prime with an f/1.7 or f/1.8 aperture. Many a Canon photographer has come
to love the “plastic fantastic” EF 50mm f/1.8 AF II, which sells for $140. Equally well
loved is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-D, available for $160. Both companies offer the
slightly faster and more expensive 50mm f/1.4 models preferred by professionals
and advanced amateurs.
Sweet Spots,
Shallow Focus and Bokeh
One of the reasons photographers like using primes is their ability to render
shallow focus at fast apertures: focus that gets shallower the closer you get to
the subject, making the background blurry, creating a dramatic visual impact. A
shallow-focus treatment often works well for portraits, ¾owers and even creative
landscapes.
p32
Fast prime lenses allow the photographer to take handheld shots at dusk at
low ISO settings, as in this shot of the Port Credit lighthouse on Lake Ontario.
Photo by Gene Wilburn
Some might wonder why anyone bothers with prime lenses at all when zoom
lenses have become so good.The answer is complex, but let’s start with this: the
same computer-aided design that created good zooms has also been applied to
creating new primes that, optically, can knock your socks off.
Modern Primes
The latest generation of prime lenses are gems: lightweight, small, and fast, while
offering outstanding optical quality. At wide-angle to normal focal lengths, modern
lens design has enabled manufacturers to create ultra-compact, “pancake” lenses
that are perfect matches to small digital bodies such as the Olympus Digital Pen,
Panasonic GF and Sony NEX mirrorless cameras. For street shooters and others
who want to carry around a very light kit, these small primes are ideal.
Optically, primes are about as good as it gets.They not only tend to be sharper,
with better micro-contrast than a zoom, they also hit the “sweet spot” faster than
HH52.indd 32
Macro lenses like the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED have uses
beyond close-up photography.They can also be used as a short telephoto for
applications like portraiture. But macro lenses are extremely sharp, and will
render every detail in your subject’s face.
11/13/12 2:00 PM
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HH52.indd 33
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11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Here’s How
Prime lenses are usually characterized by beautiful bokeh, a Japanese word
referring to the quality of out-of-focus areas. Bokeh can be perceived on a scale
from harsh to smooth. Most prime lenses have smoother bokeh than zoom
lenses at their widest aperture.The best of the prime lenses combine sharpness
with beautiful bokeh, resulting in a look that rarely fails to please.
Bokeh is affected by lens design and even the number of aperture blades in a
lens’ iris.The more expensive 50mm f/1.4 Canon and Nikon lenses, for example,
have a slightly different design and more aperture blades than their 50mm
f/1.8 counterparts, resulting in extraordinarily beautiful bokeh.This subtle, but
noticeable, improvement is what many photographers are after and the main
reason they are willing to spend more for a lens that is only slightly faster than its
inexpensive cousin.
The legendary bokeh of some legacy lenses, such as the manual-focus Pentax
Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and the Nikkor AIS 105mm f/2.5 lenses, have led
some photographers to seek them out in the used bins and adapt them to their
digital camera bodies.The unique quality, or “signature,” of these old lenses often
comes through nicely on digital bodies, making older lenses something of a treasure hunt for the adventurous. In general, though, the old classics tend not to be
any better in terms of bokeh than modern, autofocus primes that are designed
especially for digital sensors.
One of the downsides of most zoom lenses is that when you use them in
dim light, you need to use a tripod, monopod, or ¾ash unit. Although image
stabilization helps enormously, allowing you to use zooms in light that at one time
would have been unthinkable, it only works acceptably if the subject remains still.
Otherwise the subject is blurred, due to the slow shutter speeds needed to allow
enough light to reach the sensor.The workaround for this, in photography, has
always been, “use a faster lens.”This is where primes rule. A fast prime in the f/1.4
to f/1.8 range allows you to take handheld shots in low light without resorting to
harsh ¾ash.
Shooting in low light with fast primes has been popular for so many decades
it has its own category name: “available-light photography.” It allows for creative
and interpretive work taken at magical hours of the day, such as when the sun is
nearly down and streetlights are on, night shots in well-lit streets, and, of course,
indoor shots using existing lighting.
Shooting Styles
The basic difference between using a zoom lens and a prime can be expressed
as: When shooting with a zoom, the lens adjusts to you; when shooting with a prime,
you adjust to the lens. When you shoot with a zoom, you can more or less stand
in one place and zoom in or out on your subject, with a minimum of moving
around. When shooting with a prime, you use your feet to move closer or farther
from the subject – sometimes called “sneaker zoom.”
But that’s only part of it. Using a prime gets you into the “mindset” of a
particular focal length. If you use a standard prime regularly, you get to know the
p34
Image stabilization can counteract the effect of camera shake, allowing you to shoot at lower shutter speeds in dark situations. But if your subject is moving,
as the traffic is in this nighttime photo, you’ll need a fast shutter speed to render it sharply. A fast prime lens allows more light to reach the sensor, so you can
use a faster shutter speed (1/15 second in this photo). Photo by Gene Wilburn
HH52.indd 34
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Here’s How
tances.This allows you to use a 60mm macro, for instance, as a short tele portrait
lens, if you don’t mind seeing every wrinkle etched in a person’s face. I’ve met
photographers who enjoy nothing better than leaving most of their kit at home
and simply wandering the woods, ½elds, and gardens with only a macro lens.
Fast Zooms
Although prime lenses are, as a class, at the top of the charts for optical performance, they don’t reign there exclusively. Lens design keeps moving forward, and
there are now some zoom lenses that are so close in performance to primes
that the eye can’t easily discern a difference. Premium zoom lenses like the
Canon L series zooms perform extraordinarily well throughout their range.
Zooms aren’t always slow either. Most manufacturers offer zoom lenses with a
constant f/2.8 aperture over their entire focal length. Expensive, and often bulky
and heavy, these zooms are nonetheless coveted by sports and nature photographers who require speed, quality and ¾exibility.
Another engaging zoom lens is the fast zoom with a more limited focal-length
range designed to be used as a walkabout lens. Examples would include the
Nikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L, and the Tamron SP
24-70mm for Canon, Nikon, and Sony mounts.
The Bottom Line
Premium price lenses can be as expensive as high-end zooms.The highly
regarded Carl Zeiss Sonnar E 24mm f/1.8 wide-angle lens for Sony’s NEX
mirrorless cameras retails for $1,300.
personality of the lens and what it does best.The same is true for wide-angle and
telephoto primes. Some photographers, in fact, enjoy going out shooting with a
single prime, such as a 50mm, 24mm or 100mm equivalent, using it exclusively,
leaving the camera bag at home. With this kind of discipline, you learn the personality of a focal length, exploring the possibilities it opens up.This translates back
into using zooms more creatively and mindfully.
Using a single prime lens in the normal to moderate wide-angle range has also
been the hallmark of street photography for decades; and that hasn’t changed
much with the advent of zoom lenses. Most dedicated street photographers
complain about amateurs who shoot street scenes with a telephoto lens.That’s
not street photography, they say; it’s voyeurism. A normal or wide-angle lens puts
you into the context of the photo, making you part of the scene.
The fact is that zooms and primes both have strengths and shortcomings.
Choose zooms and you gain convenience; but you usually sacri½ce some optical
quality and you get a slower lens. Buy really expensive zooms and you can have
convenience, fast lenses and excellent lens quality, but at a steep price, with extra
bulk and weight.
Choose primes and you get excellent optics in small packages, but you need
to carry a bag of them around if you want to cover everything. Plus you have
to change lenses every time you want a different perspective.You get beautiful
background blur and bokeh, but you lose the ¾exibility of a zoom.
It’s also important to remember, in any debate between zooms and primes,
that what is more important than the lens itself is the photographer. A lens is only
as good as the photographer using it.
For most photographers, the best solution is a compromise: a zoom lens or
two, supplemented with a prime lens or two, using each where it offers the greatest advantage.There’s nothing like choice.The trickiest part is explaining to your
spouse or signi½cant other why it’s essential, in the interests of your dedication to
photography, that you expand your lens collection to include both. HH
p35
Macro Lenses
Although many zoom lenses offer close-focusing capability, the results are never
as sharp as they are with a dedicated macro lens; and macro lenses are, invariably,
primes.They may come in focal lengths such as 60mm, 100mm or even 180mm.
What distinguishes them from other lenses is that they’re formulated to produce
the sharpest possible photos when shooting close-ups. Unlike standard primes,
they’re not particularly fast, usually checking in at f/2.8 or f/3.5.The emphasis is on
sharpness over speed.
Most macro lenses designed today also deliver good rendition at normal dis-
HH52.indd 35
Nearly every camera manufacturer offers an inexpensive 50mm or equivalent prime with an f/1.7 or f/1.8 aperture. Many Canon shooters have come
to love the “plastic fantastic” EF 50mm f/1.8 AF II.
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Gifts
p36
by Peter K. Burian
Although most families already own a digital camera, a new improved model is still among the most popular gifts this time of year. Of course, many
other types of imaging items are just as suitable. Someone on your list may appreciate a new lens or flash unit, a photo printer, or one of the many
accessories. The following recommendations are based on my experience gained while testing equipment, plus feedback from my family, friends and
students, with an emphasis on the latest models. Also check my Gear of the Year selections for recommendations of other equipment.
Nikon D3200
Sony Alpha a57
Digital SLRs have become very affordable, so it’s common to buy one as a gift for
the entire family. If your family has a serious photographer in addition to novices,
the Nikon D3200, with very high 24-megapixel (MP) resolution, would be an
ideal choice. It de½nitely gets my vote as the best-value DSLR this season; in red,
it’s also one of the best-looking DSLRs. Aside from the very high resolution, the
D3200 offers a three-inch 921,000-dot LCD screen,
11-point AF system, four-frame-per-second burst
mode, a Full HD 1080p Movie
mode, and compatibility
with an accessory ($70)
that adds Wi-Fi capability.
$650 with 18-55mm
VR lens.
Anyone who appreciates the bene½ts of an electronic view½nder (EVF) should
love the 16.1-megapixel Sony Alpha a57 with its 1.44-million-dot EVF and a tilting three-inch 920,000-dot LCD.This prosumer DSLR is loaded with advanced
features and overrides, including full HD Movie mode, 11 special-effects modes,
15 special-effects options and Auto Portrait Framing that can automatically crop
people pictures for better composition. Its burst
mode is very fast (10 fps drive speed
with continuous AF), making
the a57 a ½ne choice
for sports as well as
types of photography.
$800 with 18-55mm
standard-zoom lens.
www.nikon.ca
www.sony.ca.
HH52.indd 36
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Gifts
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens
Digital SLRs with the typical small (not full-frame) sensors require very short focal-length lenses for ultra-wide effects.The Tokina
11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X is compatible with Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLRs.This rugged lens, with a very wide f/2.8 aperture and
low-dispersion plus aspherical elements, offers good value in a “fast” ultra-wide, premium-grade zoom. It also produces amazing
image quality, especially in the f/4 to f/11 range.The new II-designated model in Nikon mount provides autofocus with all Nikon
DSLRs. $700 to $900, depending on the mount.
www.tokinalens.com
Olympus Tough TG-1
For vacation travel, it’s great to have a pocketable “tough” camera that’s shock-proof,
drop-proof, freeze-proof and fully submersible.The very rugged 12MP Olympus
Tough TG-1 IHS with stabilized 25-140mm f/2-4.9 aspherical lens, three-inch LCD and
GPS receiver is loaded with features, including fast autofocus, 12 special-effects ½lters
and a 10-frame-per-second burst mode (or 5fps with full-time autofocus). It can also
shoot Full HD video for beautiful movies of your vacations and family events. $400.
www.olympuscanadacom
Sony HDR-AS15
p37
Many outdoor sports enthusiasts want a hands-free camera that can be mounted on a helmet, handlebars and
other objects for shooting videos and pics from the user’s point of view.The rugged, waterproof 11.9-megapixel Sony POV Action Cam HDR-AS15 has the highest resolution in its class, and features an ultra-wide-angle
lens with image stabilizer, and Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless transfer of images and video clips. In spite of its
small size, this Action Cam can shoot Full HD video with stereo sound, in addition to still photos. $300.
www.sony.ca
Nikon 1 J2
Smaller and lighter than digital SLRs, Compact System Cameras (CSCs) also accept
interchangeable lenses and many are full-featured.The tiny 238-gram 10.1MP Nikon
1 J2 features a metal body, three-inch 921,000-dot LCD and most of the functions
expected with a DSLR, plus a hybrid autofocus system with 73 detection points. It’s
super-fast too, able to shoot JPEGs at 60 per second, or 5fps with full-time autofocus.
It’s available in white, black, silver, pink and red, as well as an entirely new orange colour.
$550 with 10-30mm VR standard-zoom lens.
www.nikon.ca
Sony NEX-5R
Much smaller than a DSLR, Sony’s midrange Compact System Camera is competitive with some
DSLRs in feature set, including a 10fps burst speed with continuous autofocus, and modes like
Auto HDR, Portrait Framing and Full HD Movie.The NEX-5R is equipped with a very fast hybrid
autofocus system, Wi-Fi for photo or video transfer to a smart device, and a tilting three-inch
921,600-dot touchscreen. Instead of built-in ¾ash, the 5R ships with a small add-on ¾ash unit and
accepts a more powerful optional unit. $750 with stabilized 18-55mm standard-zoom lens.
www.sony.ca
HH52.indd 37
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Gifts
Canon PowerShot G1X
Many DSLR owners also want a second, smaller, go-anywhere camera that’s very
versatile, stylish and rugged. Models in this category ½t into a jacket pocket and they’re
loaded with advanced features and analogue controls that serious shooters expect.
The 14.3MP Canon PowerShot G1X, with a stabilized 28-112mm f/2.8-5.8 (equivalent) lens and ¾ip-out/tilt three-inch 922,000-dot LCD, employs a much larger sensor
than average in its price range. Hence, the pixels are larger too, for superior high-ISO
quality.Valuable amenities include a small optical view½nder, hot shoe for external ¾ash,
Full HD Movie mode, and 4.5-frame-per-second burst mode. $700.
www.canon.ca
LensPen Sensor Klear Loupe Kit
Many interchangeable-lens cameras are equipped with an automatic sensor cleaner, but no such system is
100 per cent effective, making cleaning accessories essential.The LensPen Sensor Klear Loupe Kit is particularly versatile since it includes a blower for removing large dust specks, a loupe with a small lamp for
examining the sensor for smaller specks, and the SensorKlear II “pen” to remove sticky or stubborn spots
with a pad that will not scratch the sensor when used according to the instructions. A carrying pouch and
batteries for the loupe are included. $60.
www.lenspen.com
David Busch Guides
If your favourite shooter is getting a versatile camera
as a gift, it’s well worth adding a book that provides
numerous tips about getting the most from its
features. Books like the David Busch Guides go well
beyond the owner’s manual. Written by one or
more pros with a great deal of experience using
the particular camera model, these guides can make
complicated functions more readily understandable.
$10 to $25.
p38
www.dbusch.com
Hoya Pro 1-D Polarizer
Except for a protective ½lter, only a circular polarizer remains essential in digital photography. It’s very useful
for wiping glare from re¾ective surfaces and from particles in the air, for richer colours and snappier contrast. Cheap ½lters can cause problems while pro-grade ½lters are very expensive; but the Hoya Pro 1-D
series is quite affordable considering its quality.You will need to know the ½lter size of the lens before buying
one; that information is printed on front of most lenses. Prices vary depending on ½lter size, $70 for 52mm.
www.hoyafilter.com
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200
With their built-in super-telephoto lenses, super-zoom cameras are great for shooting
photos of family members competing in sports activities. Panasonic’s prosumer-grade
12.1MP Lumix DMC-FZ200 features a stabilized 25-600mm (equivalent) f/2.8 Leica DC
lens, three-inch variable-angle 460,000-dot LCD, and DSLR-style features and controls.
This one is a ½ne choice because of its built-in electronic view½nder, Full HD Movie mode,
and an incredibly wide maximum aperture at all focal lengths, for faster shutter speeds.
The FZ200 is also unusually fast, able to shoot a series of 12.1MP photos at 12fps, or
5.5fps with continuous autofocus. $520.
www.panasonic.ca
HH52.indd 38
11/13/12 2:00 PM
seize more light
more light, more colour, finer detail.
The new NEX- 5R with a large Exmor® APS-C size
CMOS sensor, capable of capturing more light
to deliver photos like never before. More.
‘Sony’,‘make.believe’,‘ ’,‘Exmor’ and their logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation 2012.
HH52.indd 39
www.sony.ca/nex
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Gifts
Practical HDR
High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing can produce dramatic images with extreme detail in both highlight and
shadow areas and some really cool effects. These techniques, which can be used in-camera or with HDR software,
are well explained and illustrated in Practical HDR by David J. Nightingale. Look for the 2012 edition; it’s excellent and
can help expand a serious shooter’s creative skills. $24.
www.focalpress.com
Lowepro Urban Photo Sling Bag
The most popular camera bags today are the slings, since they offer some of the comfort of a backpack,
plus great convenience in accessing the equipment without removing the pack.The Lowepro Urban Photo
Sling 150 or 250 ($90 and $110) is particularly versatile with three wearing options (front, back and side),
two loading options (top and full panel), a removable padded divider system and a tuck-away waist belt. A
dedicated, padded compartment provides protective space for a tablet computer, while external pockets
hold small accessories.
www.lowepro.com
p40
Tamrac Evolution Messenger Bag
Next to slings, messenger shoulder bags are the hottest right now, because of a slim pro½le.The Tamrac
Evolution 2 ($100) and larger Evolution 4 ($120) with a foam-padded computer compartment, resembles a briefcase when not packed with a lot of gear. Insert the removable padded divider set, and the
bag accepts a DSLR with lens attached and several extra lenses.The shoulder strap allows the bag to be
easily swung from back to front. Gear can be accessed via the zippered top that opens away from the
body for fast access or by unbuckling and lifting the top ¾ap.Tamrac’s Piggy-Back Pocket allows the bag to
be easily slipped over the handle of rolling luggage.
www.tamrac.com
Joby UltraFit Sling Strap
More versatile than a conventional camera strap, the new
Joby UltraFit Sling Strap, available
in versions for men and women,
is suitable for cameras up to
a large, heavy digital SLR.This
sling-type strap uses a cinch that
keeps the camera tight against
the body, but quickly extends to
shooting mode with a pull on
the camera grip. Features include
a layered pad to distribute
weight evenly, a pivot ring for adjusting the angle of the strap for
the ½t you prefer, and soft-edged
webbing that nicely contours to
your body. $50.
www.joby.com
HH52.indd 40
RØDE VideoMic Pro Microphone
Anyone who’s serious about shooting video with a camera equipped with a
3.5mm mic port would bene½t from an external stereo mic like the RØDE
VideoMic Pro. It’s based around two half-inch cardioid condenser capsules; the
integrated shock-mounting system minimizes vibration and mechanical noise
that can degrade the recording quality. Other features include a high-pass ½lter
at 75Hz to cut noise generated by air conditioning or traf½c, and a +20dB level
boost for a higher-quality signal with DSLR cameras. $300.
www.rodemic.com
11/13/12 3:29 PM
Digital Imaging Gifts
Sony HVL-LE1 Video Light
Extra lighting is often useful for video with one of the lightweight LED kits that provide a continuous, daylight-balanced light source.The battery-operated 1,800-lux Sony
HVL-LE1 kit includes a diffuser for soft light, a colour conversion ½lter and an adapter
for mounting the light in a digital SLR or camcorder’s hot shoe. It accepts alkaline AA
batteries, rechargeable Ni-MH AAs, or one of several Sony battery packs.This type of
accessory works best when you (or a friend) hold it no more than two metres from
a subject. $280.
www.sony.ca
Joby Gorillapod
Here’s an innovative alternative to a tripod.The Joby Gorillapod’s legs are made with ¾exible rubberized
ball-and-socket joints that bend and rotate, so this accessory can be attached to many types of solid objects. I
have used one attached to a tree branch, my car’s rear-view mirror, and the railing of a fence. Gorrilapods are
available in various sizes ($20 to $140) up to the Focus Ballhead Combo that supports up to 5kg. Owners of
digital SLRs and similar cameras weighing up to 3.5kg should be happy with the slightly smaller, more affordable
SLR Zoom Ballhead combo ($80).
www.joby.com
Nik Snapspeed
p41
There are numerous apps for the iPad and iPhone, including my favourite, Nik’s Snapseed
($5). It will be available for Android smart devices in the near future, and is also available in
a version for Mac and Windows computers ($20). Snapseed allows smart device users to
edit and share their pics via an intuitive touchscreen interface. It provides tools for image
modi½cation and for creating special effects, such as Auto Correct, Selective Adjust,Tune
Image, Straighten & Rotate, Crop, Black & White, Grunge and Organic Frames.This app
also allows for sharing images via e-mail, on Flickr, or on Facebook, and to print directly via
Wi-Fi from your iOS device.
www.niksoftware.com
Photomatix HDR Software
High-dynamic-range image-making is very popular, especially with HDR software that
allows for achieving any desired effect. My favourite program is HDRSoft’s Photomatix; it’s
available as an Essentials ($40) version for beginners or as a Pro version ($100) for those
with lots of experience in image enhancing. A free Lightroom plug-in makes it possible to
access Photomatix Pro directly from Lightroom. Both
versions are available for either Windows or Mac
computers, but check the specs for the types of
processors that are recommended.
www.hdsoft.com
Adobe Photoshop Elements 11
Though priced for novices, Adobe’s Photoshop Elements 11 is an amazingly powerful image-editing program, with numerous
tools and utilities from simple/automatic to advanced.This version provides many new features, including Quick, Guided and Expert modules; and an improved Organizer that makes it easier to ½nd photos. It also makes it convenient to create pro-quality
photographic effects, combine elements from different photos, relive your journeys by viewing your photos and videos on a
map based on where they were taken (with Internet connection), and to create photo gifts such as books and cards, using new
templates. $100.
www.adobe.com
HH52.indd 41
11/15/12 2:12 PM
Digital Imaging Gifts
Samsung 1000P Digital Photo Frame
Digital frames are great for displaying your favourite pics, but many are quite small, around
six or eight inches. Larger models are available in some no-name brands, but I recommend
sticking with well-known brands.The10” LED Samsung 1000P with 1024x600 resolution
can display JPEG photos as well as HD videos in the MPEG or M-JPEG format from its 2GB
internal memory or from an SD/SDHC card. Features include a clock, alarm, calendar, built-in
speaker, MP3 player, USB and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity. $190.
www.samsung.ca
Epson Expression
Home XP-400
Most letter-size photo printers are equipped with a scanner/copier and an SD card reader
plus LCD screen for printing without a computer. Some of the recent affordable models,
like the Epson Expression Home XP-400 Small-in-One, also offer Wi-Fi connectivity.This
machine allows for printing and scanning from anywhere in your home from a computer
if you have a wireless 802.11b/g/n network, and from a compatible smartphone or tablet
running the recommended app. It also supports printing from the cloud (Apple AirPrint and
Google Cloud Print).The XP-400 employs four Durabrite Ultra instant-dry inks, in individual
cartridges so you can replace only the colour that runs out. $100.
www.epson.ca
p42
Optex LI6000 Universal Charger
Perfect for frequent travelers who carry various types of batteries, the Optex
LI6000 Universal Charger is suitable for 100V to 240V AC power. It can also be
plugged in while driving in a car using the supplied DC adaptor cord. Moveable
contact pins allow it to accept many types of camera and cellphone Li-ion batteries, as well as the rechargeable AA or AAA type.The LI6000 can also power
certain mobile devices via USB connection when the charger is plugged in. $50.
www.gentec-intl.com
Gary Fong
Collapsible Lightsphere
For softer light with any large ¾ash
unit, add a Gary Fong Collapsible
Lightsphere ($80).The diffused light
is ideal for people pictures.There’s
another diffuser accessory that’s designed to attach to the built-in ¾ash
and soften the light.The Gary Fong
Puffer ($30) is available in a model to
½t many DSLRs and another for the
Olympus Pen and Lumix GF cameras with built-in ¾ash. Any diffuser
reduces the amount of light reaching
the subject so the Puffer is most suitable for subjects within three metres
of the camera, when using ISO 400.
Anyone who is interested in making
beautiful inkjet prints needs a calibration
kit for an LCD or CRT monitor. Some
kits target pros, but the Datacolor Spyder4 Express is relatively affordable and
easy to use. It includes both a colourimeter device and software to improve
display accuracy, so it re¾ects the exact
colour, brightness and contrast of a digital
image. A calibrated monitor will make
it easy to get an accurate print the ½rst
time, minimizing frustration and a waste
of time, ink and paper. $130.
www.garyfongstore.com
www.spyder.datacolor.com
HH52.indd 42
Datacolor Spyder4 Express
11/13/12 3:05 PM
Get a grip on your smartphone
with the new GripTight™ series
from JOBY
Shoot crisp photos and steady video.
Watch movies and video chat anywhere.
Be in your own picture.
GripTight™ for
Smartphones
GripTight
GorillaPod
Stand™
GripTight
Micro Stand™
©2012 | JOBY is distributed by DayMen Canada - daymen.ca
HH52.indd 43
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Gear of theYear
by Peter Burian
Since 2012 was a year when the biannual Photokina tradeshow was held in Germany, it was a banner year for new
imaging products. The most signi½cant included premium-grade compact cameras, full-frame digital SLRs, and mirrorless interchangeable-lens Compact System Cameras. Several new printers were also introduced, including some in
the 13x19-inch format.
1 Nikon D800
Digital SLR cameras with the more typical smaller sensors are quite affordable
and extremely versatile; but some serious shooters prefer a camera with an
oversized 24x36mm “full-frame” sensor. Because the sensor is the same size as
a 35mm ½lm frame, it allows any lens to provide the same scene coverage as it
would on a 35mm SLR. And because the sensor is larger than average, the pixels
can be large too; that can provide superior image quality in low light and greater
detail in highlight and shadow areas.
Of several full-frame DSLRs launched in 2012, the Nikon D800 is the most
impressive, because it boasts a full 36-megapixel resolution.Though priced for
photo enthusiasts ($3,000), the D800 is really a semi-pro DSLR in terms of its
vast range of features.These include a Full HD 1080p Movie mode with continuous AF and great control over the audio, in-camera HDR, many image modi½cation tools in Playback mode, and a new 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type
sensors.
More importantly, the 36 million pixels are adequately large for superb image
quality. During my tests, I ordered a 24x36-inch print of my best low-ISO photo.
The print is amazing, with high sharpness, great clarity and very good de½nition of
½ne detail.This con½rms that the Nikon D800 is competitive with some mediumformat cameras. It would be an ideal choice for anyone who frequently needs
massive image ½les for oversized prints or other purposes.
p44
2 Olympus O-MD E-M5
Designed for great portability, Compact System Cameras (CSCs)
range from entry-level models to full-featured cameras. It’s tough
to choose just one from the many new models in this category,
but the 16.1MP Olympus EM-5 ($1,000, in silver or black) is
particularly attractive.
The E-M5 exudes a retro SLR look and features three large
knurled knobs. Other controls are similar to what you’d ½nd on
a digital SLR. Long-time photographers will immediately note
that it’s reminiscent of the Olympus OM-10, a 35mm SLR of the
1970s. An electronic view½nder (EVF) is housed in a hump on
top, which resembles a pentaprism;There’s also a tilting OLED
screen with 610,000-dot resolution.
The E-M5 employs an entirely new sensor and TruePic VI
processor.This engine provides both superior quality and great
speed; the E-M5 can shoot at a blazing 9fps at full resolution.
Image quality is excellent. My low-ISO images are suitable for
making gorgeous 13x19-inch prints.They’re colourful and sharp,
with snappy contrast. With its SLR-like controls, speed and feature set, the E-M5 would be a ½ne choice for photo enthusiasts.
HH52.indd 44
2
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Gear of the Year
3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
One of the many new cameras with built-in lens for serious shooters, the 20.3MP Sony
RX100 is particularly impressive, because the diminutive body hides a large 13.2x8.8mm
CMOS sensor, whose large pixels are able to capture more light for fabulous image quality.
The rugged aluminum camera features a three-inch 1.3-million-dot LCD, built-in ¾ash, and
DLSR-style interface, including a ring around the lens that can be used to control any of
several different features.There’s no view½nder, since that would increase the size/weight.
The Zeiss T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 (equivalent) lens, with image stabilizer, employs an
advanced aspherical element and has a circular aperture diaphragm.The RX100 offers
DSLR-style features, including very fast, multi-point AF with several AF modes, convenient
manual focus, HDR, RAW and Sweep Panorama modes, and many special-effects options.
Movies can be made at up to Full HD 1080p60 with stereo sound.The top continuous drive speed is a blazing 10fps, with focus and exposure locked at the ½rst frame. My
13x19-inch prints from low-ISO JPEGs are stunning, de½nitely suitable for framing. HighISO photos are very clean too, if made with the camera’s special Multi-Frame NR mode.
The Sony DSC-RX100 should certainly appeal to serious photographers who want a
take-anywhere camera when not carrying a DSLR kit.
3
4 Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3
DC Macro OS HSM
Most DSLR buyers start with an 18-55mm standard-zoom lens, and perhaps a 55-200mm telephoto
zoom; but others prefer a single versatile lens like this one. It’s smaller and lighter than earlier models,
because the barrel is made of Thermally Stable Composite material instead of polycarbonate.This
material also minimizes expansion and contraction at extreme temeratures.The optical formula is
impressive, including one SLD and three double-sided aspherical elements, plus Super Multi Layer
Coating for ¾are control.
This is a full-featured all-purpose zoom (about $700 in most popular mounts). Autofocus is provided by a fast and nearly silent Hypersonic AF motor.The barrel is equipped with an image stabilizer
motor, a bayonet mount reinforced with brass, and a rounded, seven-blade aperture diaphragm.
Close focusing to 45cm is possible, for maximum magni½cation of 0.35x.
5 Canon PiXMA PRO-10 and PRO-100
4
p45
Two new 13x19-inch format inkjet photo printers, the PRO-10 ($800) employs 10 LUCIA pigment-based inks, including three monochrome while the PRO-100 ($500,
shown here) uses eight new ChromaLife 100+ dye-based inks, including three monochrome. Both offer greater speed than their predecessors, CD printing capability,
and Wi-Fi in addition to Ethernet connectivity.They eject ink through numerous nozzles for high accuracy and speed: 7860 and 6144, respectively.
These machines also offer a PRO Mode that maps the colour gamut for optimum balance of brightness and saturation.To help achieve accurate results, each printer
utilizes the Optimum Image Generating System,
which calculates the best results for each print
mode and paper type. Canon also supplies a
“signi½cant number” of ICC pro½les for both
machines for various media of several brands.
The PiXMA PRO-100 can produce a gorgeous 13x19-inch colour print in under two
minutes, while the PIXMA PRO-10 takes under
six minutes. Print permanence data is not yet
available, but based on previous models using
similar inks, it should be around 70 years for the
PRO-10 for glossy paper, matted and displayed
under glass. It’s likely to be around 35 to 50
years with the PRO-100, since dyes are not
as permanent as pigments. However, dyes can
produce richer, more vibrant colours, making this
machine preferable for some purposes.
5
HH52.indd 45
11/13/12 2:00 PM
ATOUCH OF CLASS
p46
FOUR COMPACT HIGH-GRADE CAMERAS
WITH SUPERB IMAGE QUALITY
By Peter K. Burian
Although some digital SLRs with a short zoom lens
are available for $600, there’s still a lot of interest in
premium-grade cameras with built-in lenses. Even
serious photographers often want a smaller camera
for occasions when they don’t want to lug heavy
equipment around. While mainstream point-andshoot models are also suitable for hiking, cycling or
vacation outings, many such cameras are not ideal
for serious image-making.
Several manufacturers recently introduced new
prosumer-grade ½xed-lens cameras with a feature
set you’d expect with certain DSLRs.The Canon,
Panasonic, Samsung and Sony cameras tested here
are equipped with the latest technology, RAW
capture mode, a high-grade zoom lens with image
stabilizer, and a full set of external controls. While
they primarily target the serious shooter, all include
some advanced automation. Hence, they’re also suitable as all-purpose family cameras.
Canon PowerShot G1 X
An upgrade over Canon’s successful G12, this
14.3-megapixel model offers several bene½ts.
The most important is the much larger sensor
(18.7x14mm) with oversized pixels for superior
image quality, especially at high ISO levels.The G1
HH52.indd 46
X is equipped with a built-in 28-112mm f/2.8-5.8
(equivalent) lens with three aspherical elements, a
new Intelligent Stabilizer and a DIGIC 5 processor
for great speed and 14-bit RAW capture. Other new
features include a larger articulating LCD, improved
iContrast dynamic-range correction, faster drive
speed and a better, more versatile Movie mode.
Features and operation: The G1 X is relatively
large, and also heavy because of the stainless steel
chassis, substantial handgrip, large lens and ¾ip-out/
tilt mechanism of the three-inch 922,000-dot LCD.
Styling is traditional with three metal mechanical dials
and a full set of other external controls, including
two input dials. (Take care not to inadvertently move
the exposure-compensation dial.) The [Func] button
is very useful, providing instant access to frequently
used functions. While the knobs and buttons may
intimidate snapshooters, they make operation quick
and ef½cient for experienced photo enthusiasts.
This is the only camera tested that’s equipped with
an optical view½nder. It does not provide throughthe-lens viewing and the framing is not accurate with
nearby subjects, due to parallax error and limited 77%
scene coverage. As well, the lens barrel intrudes into
the view at telephoto zoom settings. Still, the optical
½nder was a blessing on a bright day at a pirate festival,
when glare obscured the LCD preview display. And
because there’s no blackout between frames, it was
more useful than the LCD for keeping rodeo action
properly framed while I was panning the camera.
Canon has provided numerous automatic, semiautomatic and manual modes, plus a wealth of
overrides. Interesting amenities include a histogram,
built-in neutral-density ½lter, many special-effects
½lters and a full 10 picture styles (My Colours). In
the custom style (a menu item), adjustments are
available for sharpness, contrast, colour rendition and
skin tone.There’s also a true HDR scene mode that
shoots three photos at varying exposures, merging
them into one with unusually great shadow detail. If
any JPEG is not quite right, or if you want to experiment with various special effects, try the full range of
enhancing items in playback mode.
Video capture: The G1 X can shoot high-quality
movies at resolutions up to Full HD (1080p at
24 fps) with stereo sound; there’s also a port for
an optional external mic. Both optical zoom and
continuous autofocus can be used during movie
capture. Before recording a video clip, the user can
set several features (though not aperture or shutter
speed), including a picture style. In playback mode,
unwanted footage at the beginning or end of a clip
can be trimmed off.
Speed and quality: Startup took one second and
autofocus was acceptably fast, taking a half second
outdoors or a full second in low light. Continuous
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Hands-on
satisfy experienced photographers with its traditional
controls. It should especially appeal to those who
often need oversized prints from their photos.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Canon PowerShot G1 X: “This Canon camera will satisfy experienced photographers with its traditional
controls. It should especially appeal to those who often need oversized prints from their photos.”
(Servo) tracking AF is available for moving subjects,
and works well with people walking toward the
camera. However, it’s not intended for tracking fast
action.The standard continuous drive speed is 1.9fps
and that’s the fastest for RAW photos. In JPEG capture, high-speed drive can be selected for shooting
up to six photos at 4.5fps. When continuous autofocus is active however, it slows to 0.7fps. Processing is
very fast, so the G1 X is usually ready to shoot more
JPEGs in under two seconds.
At default settings without overrides, the G1 X
often produced beautiful JPEGs.They’re sharp, richly
detailed and colourful. Caucasian skin tones are quite
attractive. Entirely different effects are possible with
other My Colour options, of course. Contrast is high
for a snappy effect; but on sunny days, the iContrast
feature was necessary to tone down very bright
highlight areas. On sunny days, this camera tended to
overexpose, but that was easy to prevent with -1/3
or -2/3 EV of compensation.
My best low-ISO shots made beautiful 13x19-inch
prints with excellent de½nition of intricate details;
larger prints would look great too. At higher ISO,
the G1 X remains comparable to many entry-level
DSLRs because of its large sensor. Well-exposed ISO
800 photo made very good 13x19-inch prints and
ISO 1600 came close to that level. Even ISO 3200
provided decent 11x15-inch prints.
Evaluation: The Powershot G1 X is somewhat
large/heavy, but it’s far more portable than an
interchangeable-lens camera with an excellent 28112mm equivalent lens. And yet, in terms of feature
set and image quality, it’s competitive with some
DSLRs in many aspects.This Canon camera will
Unlike most cameras with built-in lens, Canon’s G1 X retains an optical viewfinder.While it does have
some drawbacks, this amenity was valuable on sunny days when the LCD display was obliterated by
glare, and also for keeping these moving troops properly framed while panning the camera.
Photo by Peter Burian
HH52.indd 47
This tiny full-featured 10.1MP camera, with a mostly
metal body, boasts several bene½ts over the highlyrated LX5, which it replaces. Improved aspects include
the LCD screen, sensor, and Venus Engine processor with multi-process noise reduction.The new
24-90mm (equivalent) f/1.4-2.3 Leica DC lens, with
Power OIS stabilizer, boasts unusually wide maximum
apertures. It’s f/1.4 at wide angle and does not get
much smaller at telephoto; f/2.3 is still considered very
bright.This zoom is said to be the ½rst ever to include
a double-sided aspherical extra-low dispersion element, in addition to four conventional aspherics.
When the camera is off, the lens protrudes by
only 2cm, so the LX7 ½ts into a large shirt pocket.
The petite size was achieved by omitting a view½nder and a tilt mechanism for the LCD. However,
the LX7 does accept a tiltable electronic view½nder
(EVF), the DMW-LVF2, with 1.44-million-dot equiva-
Canon PowerShot G1 X
PLUS
• Large pixels; ½ne high ISO quality
• View½nder plus tilt/swivel LCD
• Accepts many accessories
p47
MINUS
• Only 0.7fps drive with Continuous AF
• View½nder is frustrating in some respects
• Small maximum aperture at telephoto
NUTS & BOLTS
Sensor: 14.3MP CMOS (4,352 x 3,264 pixels)
Capture modes: JPEG, RAW and MOV to
1920x1080/24p
Lens: Canon 28-112mm (equivalent) f/2.8-5.8
with optical stabilizer
LCD/viewfinder: Articulating 3” 920,000-dot
screen; zooming optical ½nder
Features: Versatile 9-point AF system, manual
focus, histogram, Smart Auto, P, A, S, M, Custom,
Creative Filter, 14 Scene modes, built-in ¾ash and
hot shoe, up to 4.5fps drive speed (0.7fps with
CAF), 10 pictures styles plus Custom, 10 creative
½lters, numerous overrides, in-camera ND ½lter,
stereo mic and mic jack
High-tech amenities: Electronic level gauge,
iContrast dynamic range correction, automatic
correction for distortion and aberrations, MultiArea WB in Smart Auto, digital zoom to 4x, JPEG
modi½cation options in Playback mode, i-frame
movie option, HDMI output
Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery for 310 shots
Memory-card format: SD, SDHC, SDXC
Size: 117x 81 x 65 mm (w/h/d)
Weight: 534g, including battery
Price: $700
Website: www.canon.ca
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Hands-on
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7: “In spite of its small size, this Lumix camera should appeal to serious photographers who demand great versatility and speed. But the LX7 is also a fine choice for snapshooters
thanks to its sophisticated Intelligent Auto modes.”
p48
lent resolution.Though bulky, this optional add-on is
valuable as an alternative to composing on the LCD
in bright sunlight.
Features and operation: The LX7 is equipped
with a non-tilting three-inch LCD with a gorgeous
display at 920,000-dot resolution, a pop-up ¾ash and
a hot shoe for an optional external ¾ash.You’ll ½nd
plenty of external controls, including an aperture
ring around the lens (very useful) and a lever for
the built-in neutral density ½lter.There’s a mechanical switch for aspect-ratio selection and a four-way
controller, but only a single input dial.The [Q.MENU]
button provides access to many frequently used
functions for quick operation.
This remarkably well-speci½ed camera is similar in
feature set to certain interchangeable-lens Lumix G
models. Advanced amenities include a RAW capture
mode, convenient manual focus, a 23-point Light
Speed AF system with many options, 16 special-effects
½lters, and many picture styles with levels control for
saturation, sharpness and contrast.The numerous
operating modes include two with Intelligent automation, as well as Panorama, Intelligent HDR, and multiple
exposure.There’s even an electronic level gauge
display which helps you get straight horizons.
The LX7 is packed with high-tech features such
as Intelligent ISO (the ISO is boosted automatically
when subject motion is detected), and Intelligent
Zoom for a 2x zoom with an acceptable loss of
image quality. Intelligent Auto mode is impressive;
it activates any of the Intelligent features, as well as
Motion Deblur, Handheld Night Shot, and HDR as
appropriate for better pics.There’s also an iA+ mode
which lets you use sliders for simpli½ed adjustment
of brightness, background blur, and colour tone.The
high-tech features, including Intelligent Exposure,
The Panasonic LX7 has a wide-angle zoom that begins at 24mm equivalent.While the lens has limited
telephoto reach, the wide-angle capability allows photographers to create a context for their subjects, as
in this photo from a War of 1812 re-enactment in Fort Erie, ON Photo by Peter Burian
HH52.indd 48
Intelligent D-Range (for shadow lightening) and Intelligent Resolution (for enhanced sharpness), can also
be activated in creative modes.
Video capture: The LX7 allows for fully automatic
movie making, but the versatile Creative Video mode
allows for using many overrides and for setting the
aperture or shutter speed and the ISO. It can record
Full HD movie clips in AVCHD 2.0 at 60fps or in the
more software-friendly MP4 format at 30fps.The optical zoom, image stabilizer and continuous autofocus remain available in Movie mode. Audio is recorded with
a stereo mic with Dolby technology; there’s a wind-cut
½lter, but no jack for an external mic. Especially when
connected to an HDTV with an HDMI cable, video
quality (particularly in AVCHD) is amazing.
Speed and quality: Remove the lens cap, turn
the camera on and it will ½re the ½rst shot in one
second.The LX7 can then shoot full-resolution pics
at 11 frames per second with focus and exposure
locked, or at 5fps if Continuous autofocus is required.
It’s quick to process a dozen JPEGs, but slow to
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
PLUS
• Unusually fast f/1.4-2.3 lens
• Very versatile photo and video modes
• Very fast drive with Continuous AF
MINUS
• Some functions are not intuitive
• Lens extends only to 90mm
• Slow to process RAW photos
NUTS & BOLTS
Sensor: 10.1MP High Sensitivity MOS (3,648 x
2,736 pixels)
Capture formats: JPEG, RAW and AVCHD 2.0 or
MPEG-4 to 1920x1080
Lens: Leica DC 24-90mm (equivalent) f/1.4-2.3
with optical stabilizer
LCD/viewfinder: Fixed 3” 920,000-dot screen;
optional electronic view½nder
Features: Versatile 23-point AF system, manual and
macro focus, histogram, two intelligent Auto
modes, P, A, S, M, Creative Video, many scene
modes and special effects ½lters, in-camera ND
½lter, built-in ¾ash and hot shoe, up to 11fps drive
speed (5fps with CAF), numerous overrides,
stereo mic
High-tech amenities: Many Intelligent options,
electronic level gauge, 2x Intelligent Zoom, Auto
HDR, Multiple Exposure, Panorama and still 3D
photo modes, a few JPEG modi½cation options in
playback, HDMI output
Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery for 330 shots
Memory-card format: SD, SDHC, SDXC
Size: 111 x 67 x 46 mm (w/h/d)
Weight: 298g with battery
Price: $550
Website: www.panasonic.ca
11/13/12 2:00 PM
nikon.ca
Small is now HUGE.
INTRODUCING NIKON 1 V1
Nikon revolutionizes imaging with Nikon 1. A breakthrough in technology and design.
The revolutionary new Nikon 1 V1 interchangeable-lens digital camera system is a highly versatile, high-performance camera that
delivers stunning results. Nikon built the new CX-format system from the ground up, combining advanced functionality with superior
operability in a beautifully simple, universally intuitive design. The Nikon 1 V1 produces both still and moving images of the highest
quality. And with Nikon’s 2-year Canadian warranty, the new Nikon 1 V1 provides peace of mind too.
Available at Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers. Learn more or find an authorized dealer at: nikon.ca
FASTEST AUTOFOCUS
MOTION SNAPSHOT WITH MUSIC
CAPTURE STILL IMAGES & FULL HD VIDEO
Amazingly fast and seamless. Nikon V1
delivers an impressive 10fps in
autofocus mode.
A whole new way to bring your pictures to life. This
unique new in-camera feature combines a still image
with slow motion video at the touch of a button.
Simultaneously capture multiple still images
while taking incredible Full HD Movies –
without having to stop recording.
PROFESSIONAL TOUCHES EXTEND VERSATILITY
Expand creativity with optional 1 NIKKOR lenses,
flash, stereo microphone, and GPS unit
All Nikon 1 cameras come complete with a two-year Canadian warranty when purchased from an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer.
HH52.indd 49
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Hands-on
Samsung EX2F: “This solid, well-specified camera will appeal to those who appreciate the wide-aperture
lens and Wi-Fi capabilities.The EX2F also provides an excellent display on its AMOLED screen with tilt/
swivel capability.”
p50
process a series of RAW photos. Autofocus is very
fast outdoors, taking 1/3 to 1/2 second. Even in dark
locations, focusing rarely took a full second.The Continuous (Servo) AF feature worked well for fast cars
approaching at a constant speed, but was less reliable
with the erratic motion of BMX cyclists.
The standard picture style produced nicely
saturated colours and moderate contrast, though
with some loss of highlight detail in harsh lighting.
Sharpness was a tad low, making Intelligent Resolution useful for automatic sharpening of ½ne details.
Colours are accurate, and moderately bold. Auto
WB produced a cool overall effect in daylight, so I
often switched to the Cloudy Day WB. More striking
effects are possible with other picture styles or by
using one of the many overrides.
Images made at ISO levels up to 200 are smooth,
and very sharp when Intelligent Resolution is active;
they produced very nice 13x19-inch prints. By ISO
400, the JPEGs are softer, but they’re ½ne for excellent letter-size prints. Photos made in a moderately
dark church at ISO 800 are smooth; ½ne details are
well maintained, so 8x10-inch prints are quite nice.
Sharpness and colour saturation decline by ISO
1600, (a rarely used level thanks to the fast lens and
stabilizer), but the JPEGs made decent 8x10-inch
glossies after tweaking in Photoshop Elements.
Evaluation: In spite of its small size, this Lumix camera should appeal to serious photographers who demand great versatility and speed, as well as in-camera
special effects. Some of the high-tech options call for
a review of the owner’s manual for a full appreciation
of their bene½ts. But the LX7 is also a ½ne choice for
snapshooters thanks to its surprisingly sophisticated
Intelligent Auto modes.The “fast” lens was ideal in
low light, but I did miss longer telephoto focal lengths;
in order to maintain optimal image quality, I rarely
used the 2x digital zoom feature. Photographers
who prefer wide-angle image-making should be perfectly happy with the (superb) 24-90mm equivalent
Leica DC zoom.
HH52.indd 50
Samsung EX2F
A 12.4-megapixel camera with a magnesium-alloy
body, the EX2F is one of the few with very sophisticated, reliable built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. It boasts a
Schneider Kreuznach branded 24-80mm (equivalent) f/1.4-2.7 zoom lens, with four aspherical and
two high-refractive elements, and wide maximum
apertures.There’s also a built-in neutral-density ½lter
that allows for shooting at long shutter speeds even
when using a wide aperture.To minimize blurring
from camera shake, the EX2F employs both an optical image stabilizer and digital anti-blur technology.
This camera is larger than the LX7, partly because its
three-inch 614,000-dot AMOLED screen is equipped
with a tilt/swivel mechanism. (This type of screen offers
a great viewing angle, high contrast and vivid colour.)
When the camera is off, the lens protrudes by 1.8cm. It
still ½ts into a large shirt pocket, but is too heavy to be
carried in this manner for very long.
Features and operation: In terms of controls and
features, the EX2F is similar to Samsung’s interchangeable-lens NX cameras.You’ll ½nd a textured/
rubberized handgrip, mechanical mode-selector and
drive-mode dials on top, two input dials, and several
buttons.The one marked [Fn] activates the Smart
Panel for quick access to all frequently used functions,
including overrides.There’s a pop-up ¾ash and a hot
shoe for mounting an external ¾ash or an optional
accessory: the optical view½nder (useful only at wide
angle) or the external mic. However, the EX2F is not
compatible with an electronic ½nder.
The mode dial includes familiar options, Smart
Auto (with automatic Scene mode selection), P, A,
S, M, Movie and also Wi-Fi (discussed in a moment).
When it’s rotated to the camera icon, a screen appears for selecting one of the many extra features.
These include the nine scene modes, the very
easy-to-use Panorama photo mode, HDR (for highdynamic-range photos with full automation), and
numerous special effects functions.
Many autofocus options are available, including Tracking AF that maintains focus as a subject
moves within the image area. However, there’s no
Continuous (Servo) AF for tracking action subjects
approaching the camera. Nor are there picture styles
like Vivid and Portrait; but the Image Adjust menu
item allows for setting a desired level of contrast,
sharpness and colour saturation to achieve any
desired effect. Note too that JPEGs can be modi½ed in playback mode with Image Adjust options
for modifying technical aspects and applying Smart
Filters for various types of special effects.
Wi-Fi capabilities: The built-in Wi-Fi supports
Mobile Link, Remote View½nder, Social Sharing,
E-mail, SkyDrive, Auto Backup,TV Link, and Wi-Fi
Direct modes. In a nutshell, these features allow you
to use an Android smartphone or tablet (running
During a trip to Algonquin Park, the author was able to connect the Samsung EX2F to a friend’s iPhone
via Wi-Fi, then upload photos to Facebook. As this photo shows, the EX2F produces very bold colours
right out of the camera. Photo by Peter Burian
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Hands-on
the Samsung app) to grab photos and videos from
the EX2F for uploading to the Web and even for remotely controlling the camera. But Wi-Fi Direct also
allows for uploading content to social networking
sites, e-mail or the Cloud from the camera. It’s also
possible to send images or video to a computer or
to a DLNA-compliant HDTV. All of this works well,
although some aspects are not exactly intuitive.
Movie mode: The EX2F uses Smart Auto mode
for pleasing results in movie mode, but the user can
pre-set image stabilizer and ND ½lter on/off, exposure
compensation, White Balance and the metering
pattern.There’s no control over aperture, shutter
speed or ISO; but the optical zoom does work during
recording. It’s also possible to capture video and 12MP
stills simultaneously, with the Dual Capture feature.
Stereo sound is captured with the built-in mic or an
optional external mic. Movies can be made at up to
Full HD resolution and they look great on an HDTV.
Speed and quality: Startup takes 1.5 seconds and
autofocus is very quick outdoors, rarely taking even
a half second. It’s almost as fast indoors with nearby
subjects, but takes up to a second with distant subjects in a dark location.The EX2F can shoot 10 large
JPEGs at a blazing 10fps, with focus and exposure
locked at the ½rst shot; it’s quick to process those
Samsung EX2F
PLUS
• Fast wide-angle Schneider zoom lens
• Quite small, though lens protrudes
• Numerous Wi-Fi capabilities
MINUS
• Does not accept optional EVF
• Cannot AF track fast motion
• Lens extends only to 80mm
NUTS & BOLTS
Sensor: 12.4MP BSI CMOS (4,000 x 3,000 pixels)
Capture modes: JPEG, RAW, MP-4 to 1920 x
1080/30p
Lens: Schneider 24-80mm (equivalent) f/1.4-2.7
with optical and digital stabilizer
LCD/viewfinder: 3” 614,000-dot tilt/swivel AMOLED; optional (24mm) optical ½nder
Features: Versatile multi-point AF, manual focus
and macro focus, P, A, S, M, Smart Auto, Movie with
still photo capture, 9 Scene modes, many specialeffects options, built-in ¾ash and hot shoe, up to
10fps continuous drive, ND ½lter, many overrides,
many JPEG modi½cation options in playback mode,
stereo mic
High-tech amenities: Numerous Wi-Fi features,
1.3x Smart Zoom plus digital zoom, Panorama,
HDR, Beauty Shot and 3D photo, HDMI output
Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery for 240 shots
Memory-card format: SD, SDHC, SDXC
Size: 112 x 62 x 29 mm (w/h/d)
Weight: 286g with battery
Price: $500
Website: www.samsung.ca
HH52.indd 51
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100: “Small enough to fit into a pocket, the RX100 is no lightweight in terms
of speed and functions for advanced photographers.This camera delivers amazing image quality, thanks
to its 20.2MP sensor and advanced processor.”
pics. Only single-shot drive is available with RAW
photo capture.
For initial testing, I selected the Super Fine JPEG
quality and set no overrides.The resulting images
were a bit soft, contrast was a bit too high in harsh
light, and colours were accurate and quite bold. In
later shooting, I sometimes boosted the saturation
and sharpness, and reduced the contrast, with the incamera controls. White Balance was a bit cool (bluish) in some outdoor photos and the EX2F tended
to underexpose light-toned subjects.The Cloudy WB
and +1/3 or +2/3 exposure compensation solved
both issues.
My ISO 80 to 200 JPEGs from Algonquin Park are
clear, crisp and colourful.They made beautiful 11x15inch prints; even ISO 400 was ½ne for nice prints of
that size. By ISO 800, digital noise starts to become
apparent, with some softening of ½ne details; but my
best shots made very good letter-size prints. Quality
does drop by ISO 1600, but I rarely needed to go
that high, because of the camera’s wide maximum
apertures and effective image stabilizer.
Evaluation: The Samsung EX2F will appeal to
those who appreciate the wide-aperture lens and
Wi-Fi capabilities.This solid, well-speci½ed camera
also provides an excellent display on its AMOLED
screen with tilt/swivel capability. Since a 3x zoom
is rarely used for action photography, the lack of
Continuous (Servo) AF should not be a drawback.
It’s too easy to inadvertently get into digital zoom
when zooming; that degrades image quality if you go
beyond 1.3x. Avoid that tendency and you should be
satis½ed with the image quality, as well as autofocus
reliability and the camera’s overall speed.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Surpringly small for a 20.2-megapixel camera with a
large (13.2x8.8mm) sensor, the RX100 is made of
metal and equipped with a large stabilized Carl Zeiss
T* 28-100mm (equivalent) f/1.8-4.9 lens with four
aspherical elements.The three-inch 1.2-million-dot
LCD, with WhiteMagic technology for great bright-
ness, provides an excellent display; but it does not
tilt or rotate. A mechanism to allow such movement
would have made the camera thicker and heavier. As
it is, the RX100 is de½nitely shirt-pocket size when
the lens is retracted.
Features and operation: The very solid body,
loaded with capabilities for experienced shooters
as well as novices, may be a bit small for large hands,
since there’s no grip. Hold it with two hands for
the best stability.To keep the body small, there’s no
method for attaching an external ¾ash nor any type
of view½nder.The LCD is excellent, although a tilt
feature would be useful. On very bright days around
Lake Huron, I wished that the RX100 was compatible with an add-on EVF.
There’s a control ring around the lens whose
function can be set in the menu.This ring is too easy
to nudge inadvertently, so don’t set it to control the
ISO or exposure compensation. I used it for aperture selection in A or M mode. Sony also provides
some very small analog controls, including several
buttons and a four-way controller with a control
dial. Press [Fn] to access a sub-menu of up to seven
frequently-used functions; a menu item lets you
specify which functions should be available here.
Serious shooters will appreciate the P, A, S and M
modes with overrides; as well as the ½ve picture styles
with overrides for colour, sharpness, and contrast; the
13 special-effects ½lters; and the very useful Sweep
Panorama mode, Dynamic Range optimizer (for
lighter shadow areas), and Auto HDR (for highdynamic range JPEGs) functions. Surprisingly, there are
no image-enhancement features in playback mode.
Novices should love the Auto Portrait Framing
mode; take a portrait photo and the camera will
crop if for a pleasing rule-of-thirds composition, scale
it back up to 20.2 megapixels, and save it as an extra
JPEG.The processor uses per-pixel resolution interpolation to retain ½ne image quality; that’s also used
when 2x Clear Image digital zoom is active.Two Auto
modes are available with simpli½ed methods to adjust
background defocus, brightness, colour balance and
p51
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Digital Imaging Hands-on
p52
saturation. Many special-effects functions can be used
in either Auto mode, but Superior allows the user to
activate some of the advanced features as well.
Movie mode: The RX100 can shoot Full HD
1920x1080 videos at 60fps in AVCHD 2.0 format
for beautiful movies. If you often edit your clips,
switch to the more software-friendly MP4 format, at
up to 1440x1080. It’s also possible to shoot a 17MP
photo while recording a video, if using 1440x1080 or
a lower resolution level. Active stabilizer mode minimizes blur from camera shake and sound is recorded
with a stereo mic.The optical zoom continues to
function, as does Continuous autofocus.There’s a lot
of versatility in Movie mode, with control over the
aperture, shutter speed and ISO, as well as several
overrides such as Dynamic Range Optimizer and
special effects.
Speed and quality: The Sony RX100 powers up in
1.6 seconds, responds almost instantly to a touch of
the shutter release. I never missed a shot outdoors
where it focused in 1/4 to 1/3 second; that increased
to 3/4 seconds or a bit more in a very dark cathedral.The Continuous (Servo) autofocus kept up with
moving people at the Caribbana Children’s parade,
but not with faster action subjects.The RX100 can
shoot large/½ne JPEGs at 10fps but focus and exposure are locked at the ½rst frame. When continuous
AF was important, I used the 2.5fps drive option
instead. Processing of a series of JPEGs is very quick,
but it can take ½ve to 10 seconds to process several
RAW photos.
Images made without overrides are very pleasing,
though with slight underexposure of light-toned
subjects, but with vivid colours and moderately high
sharpness. I found white balance a bit cool outdoors
with AWB, so I switched to Cloudy Day WB. In
harsh lighting, highlight areas tend to be excessively
bright, especially if you use ISO 80 or 100; ISO 125 is
preferable in high-contrast illumination.
My ISO 125 to 400 photos made stunning 13x19inch prints; even larger outputs should look great.
Because the 20.2 million pixels are small, high-ISO
quality is not as impressive when shooting in very
dark locations. Even so, ISO 800 is ½ne for very nice
11x15-inch prints, and ISO 1600 for letter-size prints
of that quality. When shooting in a very dark location,
switch to the Anti Motion Blur or the simpler Handheld Night Scene mode. Either mode will quickly
½re six JPEGs and merge them into one, discarding
some of the digital noise. An ISO 3200 photo will
resemble one that you made at ISO 800 earlier with
a conventional mode.
Evaluation: Small enough to ½t into a pocket, the
Cyber-shot RX100 with its large sensor is no lightweight in terms of speed and functions for advanced
photographers. It’s also unusually versatile in Movie
mode.This camera delivers amazing image quality,
thanks to its 20.2MP sensor and advanced processor;
that should be attractive to anyone who often needs
huge prints.
The Bottom Line
All four of the cameras should satisfy experienced
photographers. In spite of its size, the Canon G1 X
may be the favourite of long-time shooters, because
of its optical view½nder, conventional operation and
longer-than-average zoom. However, the Lumix
camera is the leader in terms of very wide apertures,
an important consideration in low-light photography.The Samsung comes in a close second in that
respect.
If the smallest size is important, the Sony RX100
The Sony RX100 has a very effective Dynamic Range Optimizer, which is useful when shooting in highcontrast situations. In this wedding photo, the DRO feature enabled the camera to preserve detail in the
men’s dark suits. Photo by Peter Burian
HH52.indd 52
would be the one to choose, but the Lumix and
Samsung cameras are quite compact too. If you want
to make prints larger than 13x19 inches, either the
Canon G1 X (with its large sensor) or the Sony
RX100 (with its large sensor and 20.2MP resolution)
would be the best bet.The G1 X was also the best
at very high ISO, but the RX100 is just as impressive if used in its special multi-frame modes. But for
a combination of useful “intelligent” features, high
speed, lens quality and logical operation, I’d choose
the Lumix LX7; it also provided very nice photos
right out of the box.
The Samsung has many of the specs that experts
or novices want; and its Wi-Fi connectivity is similar
to what you’d expect with a smartphone or tablet.
While quickly checking out all four of the cameras
(without any testing), friends in their 20s and early
30s selected the EX2F as the one they would buy.
All cited the combination of rotating LCD and Wi-Fi
connectivity as the primary reasons. However, they
wondered why Samsung did not provide touchscreen operations. HH
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
PLUS
• Shirt-pocket size
• Useful high-ISO multi-frame modes
• Lots of user control in Movie mode
MINUS
• LCD is dif½cult to see in bright sun
• Light tones can be too bright
• No image retouch features in playback
NUTS & BOLTS
Sensor: 20.2MP Exmor CMOS (5,472 x 3,648
pixels)
Capture modes: JPEG, RAW, AVCHD 2.0 to
1920x1080/60p and MPEG-4 to 1440x1080
Lens: Carl Zeiss T* 28-100mm (equivalent) f/1.84.9, with optical stabilizer
LCD/viewfinder: 3” Xtra Fine 1.2-million-dot
WhiteMagic ½xed screen; no view½nder, built-in
or optional
Features: Versatile 25-point AF, manual focus with
focus peaking, two-axis level gauge, 2 Auto modes,
Tele Zoom Hi Speed, P, A, S, M, 2D or 3D Sweep
Panorama, 14 Scene modes, Movie with still photo
capture, 5 picture styles with overrides, built-in
¾ash, up to 10fps continuous drive or 5fps with AF,
dynamic range optimizer, many overrides, 13
special-effects features, stereo mic
High-tech amenities: Anti-Motion Blur and
Handheld Night Scene mode, HDR, 2x Clear
Image Zoom and digital zoom, HDMI output
Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery for 330 shots
Memory-card format: MemoryStick PRO Duo
series, or SD, SDHC, SDXC
Size: 102 x 58 x 36 mm (w/h/d)
Weight: 240g with battery
Price: $700
Website: www.sony.ca
11/13/12 2:00 PM
1x
50x
World’s first 50x Zoom Compact Camera*
Introducing the new Canon Powershot SX50 HS
Visit canon.ca for details.
Canon and PowerShot are registered trademarks of Canon Inc. Because it Counts is a registered trademark of Canon Canada
Inc. ©2012 Canon Canada Inc. *As of September 17th, 2012. Images simulated.
HH52.indd 53
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Gifts for Creators
p54
By Gerry Blackwell
Inspire the creative types on your list by giving them the tools they need to make great music, books, art, crafts, movies. Who knows, your gift might push
them to the next level and inspire a masterpiece.
Nik HDR Efex Pro 2
High-dynamic-range imaging (HDR) is the hottest thing to hit photography
since the advent of digital, and a major creative spark for photo enthusiasts.
You take multiple exposures of the same scene at different light settings, then
use software to blend them, producing images with hyper-realistic lighting and
colour. HDR Efex Pro 2 from photo specialist Nik Software is an add-on product
or plugin for Photoshop and its consumer offspring Photoshop Elements. It makes
creating HDR images a breeze for beginners, and a rich interactive experience for experienced enthusiasts who want total control of the process and
outcome. $99.95.
www.niksoftware.com
Writer’s Café
Aspiring novelists hanging out in cafés, swapping ideas and mutual inspiration: it’s a popculture cliché. Writer’s Cafe aims to do something similar, virtually.The software imposes
a structured process for developing writing projects and includes journal and notebook
tools, a scrapbook for pasting project-related Web links, images, text fragments, etc., a
tool for developing plot outlines, and more. As valuable are the embedded e-book on
the ½ction-writing process and the motivational features such as pop-up inspirational
quotes from successful writers and a tool for generating ½ction-writing exercises for
authors temporarily stuck for ideas. $40 for download; $60 for CD.
www.writerscafe.co.uk
HH52.indd 54
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Gifts for Creators
CyberLink PowerDirector 11
Adobe may be the unquestioned leader across the range of software tools for visual creators, but other
½rms compete strongly in speci½c niches. If your artist or wannabe is only interested in movie making,
consider the highly-regarded Cyberlink PowerDirector 11 ($70 to $250). It comes in four editions.The
top-of-the-line Ultimate Suite, intended for commercial and professional producers, is less than a third
the price of Adobe Premiere CS6 and includes specialist tools for colour grading (enhancing) and audio
editing.This latest version adds time-saving automated shot selection and image correction tools, and the
company claims its TrueVelocity 3 technology makes PD11 the fastest video editor on the market.
www.cyberlink.com
Arturia Analog Experience – The Player
For the mobile musician or basement creator with limited space and funds, the Arturia Analog Experience 25 may be the perfect MIDI keyboard controller. It’s a retro-style electronic keyboard with 25
velocity-sensitive keys, solidly-built from aluminum and wood.The Player plugs into any computer USB
port. A bonus is the bundled 1,000 synthesizer sounds, selected from Arturia’s library (the French
company is a major music software developer), including some of its highly-regarded digital recreations
of classic analog synthesizer sounds such as the minimoog V, Moog Modular V and Jupiter-8V. (Don’t
worry, electronic musicians will understand – and appreciate.) $170.
p55
www.arturia.com
Snark SN-1 Guitar
and Bass Tuner
Simply the best battery-powered clip-on electronic guitar tuner going.The sprung clip attaches
it to the instrument’s headstock and the bright,
full-colour LCD can then be twisted 360 degrees
so it’s positioned perfectly for viewing, whether
the user is right- or left-handed. Unlike some
electronic guitar tuners, the Snark uses a vibration
sensor rather than a microphone.This makes
it easier to tune accurately because the device
ignores ambient sound.The SN-1 can tune to
more than just the six tones of standard tuning,
and it has a built-in metronome. $30.
MyMemories Suite 3
Many scrapbookers are purists, using only analog materials and
manual processes, but there is another fun way to do it. MyMemories Suite 3 is a specialized desktop publishing program for “digital
scrapbooking.” It provides templates that beginners can use to quickly
design great-looking scrapbook pages, which they can then print.
The program also has all the tools serious designers need to create
scrapbook masterpieces from scratch.The package includes 1,500
paper designs, 1,000-plus page elements (clipart), and over 30 album
templates. MyMemories Suite 3 even lets you add music, narration and
video to online scrapbooks. Introduce your scrapbooker to the digital
alternative. $40.
www.mymemories.com
www.snarktuners.com
Photobook Worldwide
If your creators don’t have time, patience or tools to produce quality print output of their work (or they’re too
modest), hire professionals to do it for them. Photobook Worldwide, an imaging specialist, produces commercialquality bound books.You can create a book for your artist, if you have access to their images, or buy them a gift
certi½cate. Download the Photobook software, select the type of book (prices range up from $40), place pictures
on the pages, using the supplied templates if you want, add text and titles.Then upload everything to Photobook
over the Internet.Your book arrives by courier a couple of weeks later.The quality? Excellent.
www.photobookworldwide.com
HH52.indd 55
11/13/12 2:00 PM
Gifts for Creators
Marshall MXL FR-310
Hot Shoe Shotgun Microphone
Videographers are discovering the power of DSLRs.They can capture great video, full
HD, 30 frames per second. And they offer signi½cant creative advantages: interchangeable lenses, manual focus and exposure control.The weak link is mediocre audio,
recorded by poor-quality built-in microphones that often pick up unwanted sound,
including camera noise.The solution: an add-on directional microphone. Marshal’s MXL
FR-310 clips into a DSLR’s ¾ash shoe, plugs into an external microphone jack, and captures only sound in front of the camera, in high-quality stereo. It also has an integrated
windscreen and three gain settings. (Caution: check that your future Spielberg’s DSLR
has a microphone jack.) $170.
www.marshallmonitors.com
Electric Quilt 7
Electric Quilt 7 gives creative quilters easy-to-use software tools to design any shape or size quilt.Tell
EQ7 how many and what size squares and borders you want and it does the math to create your
layout. Or use one of 20 ready-made designs or over 500 design templates. Now add pre-designed
squares from EQ7’s library of over 5,000, or design and draw new ones using the software.You can
even incorporate photos.The program comes with a library of fabric images you can preview in your
design, or scan samples of your own fabric stash. Finally, EQ7 prints out the block patterns. $190.
p56 www.electricquilt.com
Orphion
iPad music creation tools are a glut on the market, most of them variations on
the virtual keyboard-based synthesizer.This one is different. Orphion was designed
from the ground up for the iPad touchscreen. It sounds like a plucked instrument, with an electronic edge. Anyone, serious musician or amateur enthusiast,
can improvise interesting, attractive soundscapes, or play set pieces, using
multitouch gestures. Orphion lets you select among a variety of pad layouts based
on arrangements of overlapping circles, each circle representing a note.Touching,
tapping and stroking within the circle varies pitch, timbre and volume. Get a
bunch of iPads together, start an Orphion band! $3.99.
Available in the App Store.
Sketchbook Pro for iPad & Android
ArtRage and Brushes (David Hockney’s tool of choice) set the standard for iPad draw/
paint apps, but Autodesk Sketchbook Pro ($1.99), also available for Android, gives them a
run for their money. Sketchbook offers similar functionality: a selection of adjustable virtual
drawing and painting implements that can mimic analog media and also create unique
digital effects, a palette of millions of colours, and the ability to build up an image in “layers”
that can be temporarily turned off, deleted or merged as required.The trick with this kind
of app is creating a natural, intuitive environment that never inhibits creativity. Sketchbook
achieves this in spades.The price is right too. $1.99.
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Gifts for Creators
Book Creator for the iPad
Book Creator for the iPad ($4.99) is a great, easy-to-use starter tool for creating e-books in
industry standard ePub format. It’s ideal for photo books, children’s stories, instructional manuals.
Wannabe authors can design the book on their iPad, choosing from a variety of formats and sizes;
then add, position and manipulate content – images, text, audio – either importing or creating
right on the iPad. Book Creator e-books can be e-mailed, printed, viewed in a browser, read in the
iPad iBooks app and on other e-book readers.They can even be submitted for publication to the
Apple iBookstore. $4.99.
Available in the App Store.
Canon Pixma Pro1
Any photo enthusiast, Sunday painter or scrapbooker would kill for a
high-quality printer like Canon’s ¾agship photo inkjet model, the Pixma Pro1.
Whether your artiste wants to produce museum-quality photo prints,
reproductions on art paper from their own paintings, prints and drawings,
or scrapbook pages that really pop, the Pixma Pro 1 does the job brilliantly.
With 12 pigment ink colours, in cartridges bigger and longer-lasting than
conventional inkjet cartridges, it produces deep blacks and rich, accurate
colours. Ethernet network connectivity makes the Pixma Pro 1 a breeze to
set up and access from anywhere in the house. $900.
www.canon.ca
Epson Perfection
V600 Photo Scanner
p58
No digital artist’s, photographer’s or scrapbooker’s tech arsenal is complete without a good scanner: to digitize old photos, slides and negatives, capture documents and clippings to incorporate
in collages and scrapbook pages, copy original art for reproduction.The Epson Perfection V600, a
mid-priced consumer/enthusiast model, is a very good one. It scans at up to 6400 x 9600 dpi (dots
per inch), making it possible to produce stunning enlargements from tiny snapshots. It has a built-in
½lm scanner for copying and automatically colour correcting slides and negatives. Epson’s Digital Ice
technology helps restore damaged and dusty originals as you scan. $199.
www.epson.ca
Inkjet paper
If your digital artist already owns a photo inkjet printer, give the gift of paper.The paper selected has a
major impact on inkjet output quality and effect. Hahnemuhle and Ilford are two of the best names in the
business. I recently tried Hahnemuhle’s excellent Photo Rag Book & Album (about $37 for 25 8.5x11-inch
sheets). It’s an all-cotton rag paper ideal for high-end desktop publishing. Photographers will appreciate
Ilford’s Galerie Prestige papers, in particular the superb Gold Fibre Silk ($19 for 10 8.5x11-inch sheets), a
traditional baryta photo paper, semi-gloss, heavy weight. For slightly less expensive but excellent papers,
also try Moab products.
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Gifts for Creators
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640
Digital visual artists and videographers work with big (often huge) data ½les that can
bring an under-powered computer to its knees.Video and graphic artists also need
optimal accuracy in scaling and video playback. If you can’t afford to buy them a more
powerful PC, give them what they need by upgrading their existing graphics adapter,
the computer within their computer that controls video/graphic performance.The GeForce GT 640 (about $120) from market-leader NVIDIA adds major graphics muscle.
It supports 3D video, digital displays with resolutions to an eye-popping 3840x2160,
and up to four high-res monitors simultaneously. (Note: this adapter installs inside the
PC; it’s not Mac-compatible.) $120.
www.nvidia.com
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe’s Creative Suite 6 (CS6) is the latest, greatest version of a software suite that has been
the ½rst choice of digital artists for over two decades. It includes best-in-breed products such
as Photoshop, Illustrator (drawing and painting), InDesign (desktop publishing), Premiere (video
editing) and Dreamweaver (Website design.) The CS line includes over 25 products in all.
With these tools your artiste can do anything.The catch: prices for a permanent CS6 license
start at $1,299; and that’s for the Standard edition, with just six products. Enter Adobe
Creative Cloud. It’s a new subscription service that gives access to the entire CS line, without
mortgaging the farm: $49.99 per month ($29.99 for students.)
www.adobe.com/CreativeCloud
p59
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
If your shutterbug is kicking against the creative limitations of ½xed-lens point-and-shoot
cameras, this is the next step: a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) interchangeable-lens camera.
MFTs are signi½cantly smaller and lighter than DSLRs, so easier to carry and less obtrusive,
but provide all the ¾exibility and creative control: manual and semi-automatic exposure,
support for RAW ½les, manual focus, interchangeable lenses. Panasonic helped develop
the MFT format.The Lumix GX1, which comes with a 14-42mm wide angle zoom lens,
is a great little camera, well proven, and at a great price. For a complete solution, add the
excellent Lumix GX Vario PZ 45-175mm telephoto zoom lens. $550.
www.panasonic.ca
Fourth-Generation iPad
The iPad is a creator’s dream: convenient, portable, tactile. British painter
David Hockney and others create serious art on iPads.There are
pro-quality apps for creating music and e-books, and for shooting and editing photos and video.The latest iPad ups the
ante for creators, adding a faster processor with a quadcore graphics system and a new-design, higher-resolution
screen. It delivers four times more pixels than iPad 2 and richer
colours for a crisper, more realistic display – especially crucial for visual artists. And the new iPad has a 5MP camera that captures full 1080p
HD video. $520 and up.
www.apple.ca
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Gadget Gifts
p60
By Ted Kritsonis
The old cliché that “it’s the thought that counts” is only partly true when it comes to giving someone a gadget as a gift. Ideally, gadget gifts should
always be practical and functional. It’s with that in mind that we’ve selected this group, which offers a little something for everyone. Be sure to check out
our top ½ve gadgets in the Gadget Gear of the Year section that follows this guide.
Apple iPhone 5
Some might not consider the iPhone 5 the slam-dunk to ward off competitors, but it’s still one of the best smartphones
on the market today.The most noticeable enhancements over the iPhone 4S are the taller four-inch Retina display,
lighter weight, and LTE (Long Term Evolution) connectivity.The iPhone 5 features an improved 8MP rear camera, a 720p
front-facing camera and the best that iOS 6 has to offer.The A6 processor speeds up basic tasks, while iCloud and Find
My iPhone are two indispensable features. Not to mention the
growing number of iPhone apps, which now number over
500,000. Available through multiple carriers, starting at $180
on a three-year contract.
www.apple.ca
Samsung Galaxy S III
This is arguably the premier Android smartphone for 2012, and it soon became one of the fastest selling handsets,
ever.The 4.8-inch Super AMOLED 720p display is gorgeously bright and crisp, and it helps that there’s a dual-core
1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB or 32GB of internal storage (expandable to 64GB via
the microSD card slot). LTE connectivity makes the Internet move along swiftly, Android 4.0 keeps things current and
AllShare Play allows playback of media through compatible TVs, tablets and laptops. Rogers,Telus, Bell,Virgin, SaskTel,
Wind and Mobilicity all offer the phone, starting at $160 on a three-year contract for the 16GB model.
www.samsung.ca
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Gadget Gifts
HTC Windows Phone 8X
Considered the “signature” Windows Phone 8 smartphone by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the 8X is a nice
mix of design and functionality for those seeking a different path from iOS or Android. With a 4.3-inch Super
LCD 720p display, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor and 16GB of internal storage, there is plenty
to work with. Unfortunately, there’s no memory-card slot to expand storage. Beats Audio enhances audio
playback, and the 8MP rear camera is augmented by the widest lens on any smartphone. Look for this handset
at Rogers and Bell.
www.htc.com/ca
Roku 2 XS
Not everyone wants all the bells and whistles in a media-streaming set-top box. For those
who want to keep it simple, the Roku 2 XS is a good ½t. With easy setup, and access to
“channels” like Net¾ix, Facebook, Crackle, UFC and Flixster, the small box can be a nice addition to any home theatre. New apps can be downloaded (some free, some paid); and Angry
Birds can be played with the Bluetooth-enabled remote.The Roku 2 XS has built-in Wi-Fi, an
Ethernet port, a USB port to plug in external drives, and support for 1080p HD video. $110.
www.roku.com/ca
Rdio
With 18 million tracks in its catalogue, an Rdio subscription would be a
nice gift for anyone who loves music with a social element. Music plays
uninterrupted with no ads.The built-in discovery engine lets subscribers
½nd new tunes by following other users Twitter-style.Though designed for
online streaming, tracks and playlists can also be synced over Wi-Fi to a
smartphone or tablet for of¾ine listening. A full access subscription called
“Unlimited” is $10 per month, but you can pay for a full year in advance.
p61
www.rdio.com
Kobo Glo
Belkin WeMo
Switch + Motion
One knock against e-readers has
been visibility in the dark, and this is
exactly what the Glo addresses. Its
six-inch E Ink Pearl touchscreen has
a feature called ComfortLight that
illuminates the pages on the screen
without causing glare. Readers can
adjust the light’s intensity, and even
use it outside in daylight, because
the screen is resistant to the sun’s
glare. Users can also choose their
favourite fonts, arrange their library
as they see ½t, and keep reading for
a month on one battery charge.
Find it in black, silver, blue or pink
for $130.
You don’t have to buy these two as a combo, but if you
want the Motion sensor, you will have to get both.The
Switch lets users control a lamp, appliance or device
that plugs into a regular power outlet using an app on
the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. It connects to the home
Wi-Fi network, and can then be customized to turn on
or stay off at certain speci½ed intervals. For instance, you
could program the WeMo Switch to keep a lamp on
during a commute home when it gets dark outside.
The WeMo Motion can trigger a lamp to turn on,
or alert a user to movement in a home.
The Switch is $50 on its own, while the
duo come in a bundle for $100.
www.kobo.com
www.belkin.com
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Gadget Gifts
SOL Republic Tracks HD
If Beats headphones are out of your price range, consider these excellent on-ear headphones.They offer very balanced
sound that isn’t too heavy on the bass, and are durable enough to take some punishment.The polycarbonate headband
is almost unbreakable, while the ear cups can slide out and slide into a different colour headband. A Deadmau5-themed
set is available, with a unique colour scheme based on the popular Canadian-born international DJ. $150.
www.solrepublic.com
HSTi Mobostick
This USB dongle is basically a receiver that takes content from
your Android smartphone or tablet and enables wireless
streaming on any device that has a standard USB port.These
can be HDTVs, PCs, Macs, media players, stereo systems, game
consoles and Blu-ray players.There is a free Android app that
works with the stick to access ½les stored on your phone or
tablet. $60.
p62
www.hsti.com
Sirius XM Lynx Radio
Satellite radio can be more portable and ubiquitous with a product like the Lynx, which can work
in the car or in the home. What makes this one unique is that it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in,
so users can listen without a wired connection. Recorded content can also be stored and enjoyed
on-demand. Shows can be recorded up to seven days in advance, and the last ½ve hours of most
channels are easily accessible too. Streaming audio wirelessly to Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones is a snap.The Lynx comes with a vehicle kit for $300, while the optional home kit is $80.
www.siriusxm.ca
Rokform RokShield v3
Billed as two cases in one, this case for the iPhone 5 is meant to both protect the phone and mount
it using the magnet on the back. It protects the phone on all six sides, though the outer bumper can
be removed to slim it down a bit.There’s an integrated Remote Mounting System (RMS) for use
with almost any surface, plus speci½c accessories that can work with the case. It comes in six different
colours and goes for $50.
www.rokform.com
Griffin MOTO TC Monster
This remote-controlled monster truck can be controlled entirely via Bluetooth and a free MOTO TC app that lets users choose to drive
it in four different ways: a virtual steering wheel, motion tilting, ½nger sliding or automatic maneuvers set from the app. It has a four-wheel
independent suspension and a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, along with the option to print free racetrack accessories from Grif½n’s
Website. $60.
www.griffintechnology.com
Supertooth Disco 2 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker
With a small footprint and tasteful design, the Disco 2 ½ts nicely in any décor. It’s also versatile, thanks to Bluetooth A2DP streaming and
an auxiliary input in the back that lets you connect virtually any smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, laptop or desktop computer. It pumps out
16 watts, and doesn’t muf¾e the bass, mids or highs.The Disco 2 comes in four colours and can be had for $110.
www.supertooth.net
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Gadget Gifts
Mattel Apptivity
The idea behind Apptivity is to blend real-world ½gurines and pieces with a virtual
board game that can be played on an iPad.There are ½gures for Batman, WWE,
Hot Wheels, Fruit Ninja and Cut the Rope, and speci½c games for each of the
½gures.The objective is to place the ½gure on top where prompted, and position it
for what happens onscreen.The ½gures can be found for $15 apiece and the games
are free downloads on the App Store.
www.mattelapptivity.com
ION iCade Mobile
Turning the iPhone 4/4S or iPod touch (pre-½fth-generation) into a portable gaming console
is made easier with this handy gizmo. Slide the iPhone or iPod into the cradle in the middle,
connect the two via Bluetooth and that’s it.The cradle can rotate, allowing gamers to play in
both landscape and portrait mode. It’s compatible with over 450 games and apps, including
Temple Run and Frogger Decades. $50.
www.ionaudio.com
Hipstreet Swipe Wi-Fi Portable Scanner
A portable scanner that can easily slip into a pocket, handbag or briefcase (it does come with a carrying case), this could be handy for students, salespeople and researchers. Once pages are scanned, they
can be exported directly to a computer, tablet or smartphone over Wi-Fi. Files are saved in either
PDF or JPEG format, and memory can be expanded up to 32GB via the microSD card slot. $150.
p63
www.canada.hipstreet.com
Sphero Robotic Ball
Think of the Sphero as a game wrapped in a ball.The three-inch ball can be
controlled via Bluetooth from up to 50 feet away by an iOS or Android device.
The control app uses the gyroscope and accelerometer found in smartphones
and tablets to detect user motion.The multi-coloured LED inside can display thousands of different colours, and the ball can move at a speed of about three feet
per second.There are free apps with games tailored for Sphero, some of which
are multiplayer. $130.
www.gosphero.com
Airstash
Part wireless ¾ash drive and part media streamer, the Airstash is an incredibly simple way to share ½les such as video and photos between
i-devices.You start by downloading the free Airstash app to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. When you turn Airstash on, it shows up as a
wireless network on your device.You can shoot a picture or video, then use the Airstash app to transfer it to an SD card in the Airstash’s
memory-card slot. Other people can also connect to the AirStash with their Apple devices, and upload the photos and videos they want.The
Airstash has a USB connector. Attach it to a PC or Mac, and it works like a thumb drive.You can transfer media ½les to the Airstash, then pull
them onto your iPhone or iPad. $149 with an 8GG card; $179 with 16GB.
www.airstash.com
FixMeStick
This small USB stick is designed to remove viruses by incorporating different anti-malware programs. Users need
only plug it into an infected Windows PC and let it go to work identifying and removing the malware.The process is automated, so no tech know-how is required. But this is just a removal tool, and won’t protect a PC from
further infections.The $60 cost covers the stick and a one-year license, with unlimited usage for up to three PCs.
www.fixmestick.com
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Gadget Gear of theYear
1 iPad mini
p64
Apple’s iPad got a little brother this fall. Sporting a 7.9-inch 720p display (not
Retina, however), A5 processor and the same aluminum-and-glass body as its
larger sibling, the iPad mini is possibly the top tablet in its class. It’s half the weight
of the larger iPad, and offers the same battery life.There’s a 5MP iSight camera in
the rear capable of 1080p HD video recording, and a 1.2MP FaceTime camera
in the front capable of 720p HD video. On the software front, Siri, the personal
voice assistant, is built-in, plus iCloud support and access to all 275,000 iPad apps
available in the App Store.
With AirPlay, users can wirelessly project the iPad’s display or stream media to
an Apple TV or AirPlay-enabled speaker for audio playback. Bluetooth 4.0 ensures
that Bluetooth-enabled speakers aren’t left behind. However, the mini is more
expensive than comparable tablets, with a starting price of $329 for the 16GB
Wi-Fi model. Add $100 for 32GB, and $200 for 64GB. If you want cellular access
to go with Wi-Fi, add another $130.
2 Samsung Galaxy Note II
Doubters were proven wrong when the ½rst Galaxy Note hit the market early in the year, and now the phablet (phone/tablet) has gone through some upgrades. It’s
grown slightly to a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED 720p display, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, an 8MP camera capable of 1080p video recording (plus
a 1.9MP front-facing camera) and a microSD card slot that can expand the device’s 16GB internal storage a further 32GB.
The S Pen stylus also makes a comeback and sees some improvements of its own, with four times the pressure sensitivity of its predecessor, the option to write
notes during calls, and clipping objects by drawing around them. AirView is a neat way to peek into apps by hovering the S Pen’s tip right above them, including e-mail,
photo galleries, calendar and more. Look for this one at Rogers, Bell,Telus, Wind, Mobilicity,Videotron and SaskTel for $200 on a three-year contract.
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Gadget Gear of the Year
3 Logitech Harmony Touch
Harmony remotes are a touch above (no pun intended) other universal remotes, and
this latest one is all about touching and tapping.The centrepiece is the touchscreen, which
not only displays the numerical keypad, but also channel icons that look like apps on a
smartphone. Up to 50 can be saved, and there is also a sliding menu for activities like
watching a movie or playing videogames. As many as 225,000 home-entertainment devices
are supported. Plus, Harmony One users can keep their device and activity settings with a
shortcut setup process. $270.
4
3
4 Nike+ FuelBand
p65
For people who might need a little extra incentive to get active, the FuelBand has an accelerometer inside that
tracks the wearer’s every activity.This could be anything from the walk to work, to sporting events, gym workouts
and even a night out dancing.The FuelBand can tell you how many steps you’ve taken during the day, and how
many calories you’ve burned.This information is converted into “Fuel Points,” a proprietary measure of daily activity.
A 20-segment LED display shows how many Fuel points you’ve accumulated during in the day.You start by setting
up a free Nike+ account using a PC or Mac, then sync the FuelBand using the supplied docking station.You can
set ½tness goals, and assess your performance. A free iOS app and Web portal let users set goals and share their
progress with other FuelBand users on Facebook,Twitter and Path. $150.
www.nike.com/ca
5
5 Nintendo Wii U
Does the world need yet another games console? Maybe
it does.The Nintendo Wii U shakes things up by adding a
tablet-style GamePad controller, with its own touch display.
And the system’s ½rst crop of games suggests some good
potential. Ubisoft’s ZombiU lets players raise the GamePad to
eye level and use it as a telescopic sight. Super Mario Bros. U
lets one player draw blocks on the GamePad that the other
can use to jump on. Best of all, Electronic Arts’ FIFA Soccer
13 lets a player act as manager, drawing formations on the
GamePad or checking player stats. Of course, it’s all going to
come down to the supply of games. But in sports simulations
and other genres that really do need a more complex style
of interaction, the Wii U could really pay off. $300.
www.nintendo.com/wiiu
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Sharp’s founder Tokuji Hayakawa
establishes a metal works in Tokyo and
invents the Ever-Sharp Pencil.
Sharp
manufactures the
first Japan-made
television.
Mass production
of microwave
ovens.
Introduction of a 3-inch
LCD colour TV with a
TFT drive System.
Sharp introduces the
world’s first 14 inch thinprofile, high definition
colour TFT LCD monitor.
Development of the
world’s thinnest home
facsimile.
Development of the world’s
first Plasmacluster™ Ion air
purification technology.
Introduction of an unthinkable 30”
high definition LCDTV with built in
digital tuner.
Sharp presents the world’s
largest LCD TV to the
market. This 45” AQUOS
with full 1080P HD
capability has
videophiles
worldwide
shedding
tears of joy.
In 2012 Sharp recognizes our centennial anniversary. For 100 years Sharp has worked to follow in the footsteps of our founder Tokuji Hayakawa and create a oneof-a-kind company. From our beginnings with the “Ever-Sharp” mechanical pencil, to mass-producing TVs in Japan; the first LCD calculator to the world’s largest
LCD screens and all of the innovation in between. Sharp has been driven to create products others wanted to imitate.
sharp.ca
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100 Years of Milestones
Mass production
of solar cells and
silicon-based
photovoltaic
cells.
Sharp ushers in the LCD era
with the world’s first COS
calculator featuring
an LCD screen. A digital
display technology
is born.
Sharp launches a
wall mountable
HDTV.
The world’s first LCD view camera makes capturing
family moments easier than ever.
Quattron 4 colour technology
brings viewers colours never
before seen on TV with the
addition of a proprietary yellow
pixel.
The world’s largest LED TV; the 90” AQUOS is
welcomed into Sharp’s TV line up.
90”
For 38 years Sharp Canada has been dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians at both work and home
through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design.
We look to continue to bring our industry, customers and consumers unique products and services that support
Sharp’s two principal ideas of sincerity and creativity while making a meaningful contribution to our society.
HH52.indd 67
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SONY
ACTIONCAM
TM
GET SOME ACTION
Your hardcore, gravity-defying moments deserve to be seen. Capture every second with the Sony
ActionCam™. No other mountable POV camera matches Carl Zeiss® optics with an exterior that
can take mud, snow and water. Check your form by streaming live video to your smartphone or
savor the awesome with super HD SLOW 4x (120 FPS). So go legend, record it all in HD, and share
your shredding with the world.
sony.ca/actioncam
®™Sony make.belive is a registered trademark and ActionCam is a trademark of Sony Corporation. Carl Zeiss is a trademark of Carl Zeiss. Images are simulated. A.E. & O.E.
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