Tested Reviews

Digital sex appeal: The very cool-looking Rollei d530 flex is billed as the only German-manufactured digital camera in the world and should be appearing at U.S. dealers as you read this. The 5MP SLR (and yes, it's a genuine optical reflex, not an electronic viewfinder) uses a PCMCIA Type II interface, which means you can use a variety of storage media via an adapter: CompactFlash, IBM microdrive, SmartMedia, etc. A nearly antiquated built-in SCSI connector lets you also tether directly to a PC or Mac for direct data transfer and remote control.

To give you a clear picture of the amazing changes taking place in cameras today, let's take a gander at the dramatic events that have occurred since last year's December 2001 equipment extravaganza. Not surprisingly, the most stable category is film-based SLRs, with only two newcomers, the sexy new Canon EOS Rebel Ti, a broad-based, entry-level model with upgraded features, and the Contax NX, a rugged, traditionally styled, moderately-priced autofocus SLR that takes Zeiss lenses.

Lightweight and compact: Sunpak's TR-2000 weighs slightly more than 24 ounces and measures 5 7/8 x 4 5/8 x 2 ¼ (HxWxD). As battery packs go, it's cute!Event, wedding, and sports photographers who rely on shoe-mount strobe units need flashes that recharge instantly and reliably all day long. These guys can't be fumbling with AA cells, or waiting as pooped AAs take longer and longer to pop. They (and possibly you?) need high-power, rechargeable external battery packs to juice their shoe-mount flashes.

Prego parts: Front of aluminum-bodied Prego 30 shows remote-control sensor (A), autofocus windows (B), meter port (C),viewfinder window (D), self-timer/anti-redeye LED (E), flashtube (F). Lens retracts completely flat into body.

Lens sharpness: Resolution was outstanding (best reading: 84 lines/mm) at the center and very good at the edge, at both wide-open and moderate apertures.