Wize Blog

Apple Black Friday Sales Event

Just received an email that Apple's having a big sale online.

Here's the skinny:

"Shopping event is available only at the Apple Online Store on November 23 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. PST and at Apple Retail Stores. Check your local Apple Retail Store for special hours. Sale prices are limited to stock on hand and while supplies last. Some products or promotions are not available outside the U.S. Product specifications are subject to change."

Here's the deals:

Engraving and gift wrapping free for any Ipod you buy.

Save up to $100 when you buy a new Mac with a printer.

Get free shipping on all gift guide items.

Here's the gift guide URL.

The sale site not only includes Apple products, it also includes products from other companies.

Take the 10.1 MP, dSLR camera, the Canon Digital Rebel XTi EOS Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm Lens, for example.

Lens and body is going for $799.95 on the on the Apple sale site.

The camera body rates a whooping 95 at wize.com.

Digital Ixus 860IS / PowerShot SD870 Review

Cameralabs came out with a review of the Canon Digital Ixus 860IS/ PowerShot SD870 IS Digital Elph.

There are a few changes from its predecessor, a Canon PowerShot SD750 / IXUS 75 Digital Camera, which got a 96 rating from wize.com.

The new version comes with 8 MP of resolution instead of 7 and has no optical viewfinder like the older version had.

The new version has a bigger LCD screen.

Both versions have no controls other than automatic ones, unfortunately.

That hasn't seemed to matter to the opinions of the older version at wize.com, which state:

"This is my second PowerShot (my last one was smashed by a car's tire) and I would definetly recommend it to family and friends."

"I wanted a small camera that would take indoor and low light photo's and this is wonderful."

You can take a video tour of new version here.

Canon EOS 40D Reviewed Today

Thinkcamera.com came out with a review for the Canon 40D today. The 40D is an upgrade for the Canon EOS 30D, a camera that Wize.com gave a 97 rating to.

The Canon EOS 40D, according to the site, has class leading autofocus, very long battery life, almost no image noise, sharp high res images and three custom memories on dial.

The review claims that the photographs are less noisy than any other cameras made by rival companies, even at high ISO speeds (the camera shoots all the way up to 3200 ISO).

The sensor size is a bit more than half of a 35 mm sensor. The camera now shoots at 10.1 MP (the 30D was 8.2 MP).

Thinkcamera.com gave this camera a 10/10. If SLR cameras are on your holiday list, this one would be a good bet.

Test footage of HV20 Camcorder

I'd say 24 frames per second at which the HV20 camcorder records makes for an excellent picture. Wize.com gave this camcorder a 91 rating. Not bad.

Some comments about this 1.2 lb machine (geeze, it's light) are listed below:

"Using it for 48 Hour Film Project and while it can be a bit cranky on its buttons and ease of use, it is a truly wonderful picture and the 24fps functionality is phenomenal."

"I've worked with many different video cameras over the years, including a few high-end cameras such as the Canon XL2 and Panasonic DVX-100 and I think it's safe to say that the HV20 is the best video camera you can buy for under $1100."

"I have no hesitation in recommending the amazing video quality you get from this modestly priced and compact device."

Wize.com Early Review: Canon Powershot G9 Gets Upgrades from Preceding Models

Just out of the gate, the Canon Powershot gets positive reviews as an upgrade from their preceding Powershot G7 model. 

The Canon Powershot G9 is dubbed as a fantastic alternative for a DSLR camera if amateurs are looking for a smaller model with a heavy body. 

Some additional upgrades include: 12.1 megapixels - up from the G7's 10 megapixels - with a 3 inch LCD screen - increased from 2.5 inches - which sees the very welcome return of RAW mode (consumers asked for this after the G7 was released without the functionality).  The 6x optical zoom lens offers an effective focal length of 35-210mm, there's an optical image stabilizer to help combat camera-shake, plus an optical viewfinder and flash hotshoe.   

Prices on the Canon Powershot G9 range from $467.95 to $499.99. 

Overall, it seems to be have the upgrades consumers have been looking for which makes this camera one to consider when making your purchasing choices for the next digital camera to come into your life. 

As an added bonus, I have included this nifty video of the Canon Powershot G9 time lapse feature.  Pretty cool!

Early Reviews Roll in for the Canon EOS 40D

That's right, Wize.com now has some first rumblings of reviews flowing in from those eager to get the word out about the new Canon EOS 40D.  So far the consensus is sounding fairly positive for the $1300 upgrade (that price is for the camera body only, no lens).

Overall, people are saying for a SLR camera upgrade from the EOS 30D, the Canon EOS 40D is faster and smarter giving users 1/8000 shutter speed and a 6.5 frames per second in RAW mode.

See the reviews for yourself:

CNET Asia - 8/10

Cameralabs ("If the 40D's price and feature-set suits your requirements, you'll have few if any complaints.")

Bob Atkins ("It's a very good camera and I can recommend it.")

The World According to Roland ("A nice feature upgrade over the 20D and 30D and at an attractive price.")

DP Review (Preview)