Digital Camera News, 5/15/08

Rumor: Canon Rebel XS on the way?

The Canon watchers over at BobAtkins.com caught an interesting gaffe in the camera company's recently release of their Digital Photo Professional image software, suggesting that a new Canon Rebel is on the way in the near term. Apparently, the DPP 3.4 help file notes compatibility with the Canon Rebel XS/EOS 1000D, a camera not currently offered in the manufacturer's lineup.

Following the conventions of Canon naming, the Rebel XS would likely be a step-down version of the XSi (a la the relationship between the XT and upgraded XTi), suggesting that the development of a new true entry-level DSLR (perhaps a slight reworking of the XTi?) may well be nearly production ready.

Obviously, no information beyond what can be inferred from this single bit of text is available at this time. Canon has not officially responded to the apparent leak, which has now been picked up by several sites.

Whatever else can be guessed, it seems more than plausible to us that usually tight-lipped Canon has, in fact, slipped up. All of this provides further confirmation for what some have speculated all along – namely, that the launch of an XSi without a complementary model bearing the XS name suggested a hole in Canon's lineup that would be filled at some point in the future.

Check out the most credible product of the Canon rumor mill we've stumbled across in awhile at the link above for more.

Optically stabilized Tamron 28-300mm comes to Nikon mount

A version of the Tamron's optically stabilized 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC lens is now available in Nikon mount.

The new lens, which covers the moderately wide to extreme telephoto ranges with an equivalent focal length of 43mm to 465mm on DX-sensor cameras, was designed with the manufacturer's consumer models in mind, coming equipped with the lens-based focusing motor required for full AF compatibility with Nikon's D40, D40x, and D60.

Tamron's Vibration Compensation (VC) technology provides optical image stabilization for the new glass, which also advertises a 1:3 magnification ratio at 300mm – close-focusing enough to earn it a "macro" designation from Tamron.

Retail for the new lens, which has also been available in Canon mount since October, is set for May 30. No official word from Tamron on pricing for the Nikon version.

Sony "Everyday Smiles" contest to display winners in Times Square

If you've ever wanted to have your favorite snapshot on a larger-than-life billboard in Times Square, here's your chance: launched in conjunction with Reuters Media, Sony's "Everyday Smiles" photo contest promises just that to the winners.

Aimed to promote Sony's SmileShutter technology, the contest – open to photographers in the U.S. – is limited exclusively to images of smiling people. The winning submissions will be publicly displayed on Reuters-owned digital billboards in New York City's Times Square.

Entries are being accepted through June 16. To learn more about the contest or submit your images, head on over to the "Everyday Smiles" site at Reuters.com.