My first DSLR (a four week old Canon Rebel XS) and I had just completed a 60km bike ride through the Andes Mountains. The camera exceeded my expectations as I used it to capture over 30 waterfalls and many gorgeous landscapes. Twelve hours later, three men with knives decided I didn’t need my backpack or my camera anymore. Sadly, I didn’t think to ask for the card, and I never saw my Canon Rebel or the pictures ever again. From that moment on, I had a hard time justifying backpacking with expensive equipment, and decided instead to travel with a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-35.

Recently I was curious to see how far Superzooms had come since my purchase, and was pleasantly surprised to see the feature-packed models released by Panasonic and Canon. The companies’s flagship superzoom lines — the Panasonic FZ and Canon SX — have set the industry standards, offering big features in a compact body at a modest price. Their newest models, the Panasonic DMC FZ-150 and the Canon SX40 HS, both offer rich features that leave many consumers vacillating about which to purchase. And even though nothing compares to holding and using the cameras, the following comparison should help you if you’re trying to make that difficult decision.

For a full list of specs, be sure and  check out their respective websites:
Panasonic DMC FZ-150
Canon SX40 HS

Main Differences

Panasonic DMC FZ-150 (Back)

Canon SX40 HS (Front)

Canon SX40 HS (Back)

As you can see, the Canon outdistances the Panasonic in zoom capabilities, although anything over 24x will most likely need a tripod and defeat the point of traveling light. Another important feature is video capability. If you enjoy traveling light, you want your camera to cover all the bases. Both of these cameras take excellent video, but I prefer the ability to shoot at 60 fps, even if it means sacrificing the cinema-style 24 fps. Furthermore, the Panasonic features faster continuous shooting with and without AF. Although the Canon looks comparable at 10.3 fps, there is a limit of 8 consecutive shots. Next, the Panasonic supports RAW, whereas the Canon does not (although there is a workaround known as CHDK [Canon Hack Development Kit], which should allow you to tweak settings and capture RAW).

Aside from max shutter speed and exposure length, the price difference is the biggest distinguishing factor. Are the features of the Panasonic worth the extra $100? I say yes. I travel light and want a camera packed with features at reasonable price that won’t break my heart if something happens to it. The RAW photo support, higher fps video capability, and lighter body tip me towards the Panasonic.

It’s worth noting, however, that both of these cameras are solid options, and I doubt either one would disappoint you. As I mentioned earlier, neither will stand up to your main DSLR, but if you’re looking to travel light, take good photos, and gain the peace of mind that your $2,000 DSLR is safe at home, these superzooms offer a great solution for you.

Traveling Light: The Superzoom Shootout — Panasonic DMC FZ-150 vs. Canon SX40 HS

Mr. De Rosa has set a goal to raise $50,000 before July 1 in order to advance the project to the next stage.  Around $3000 has been raised so far, and a “massive” discount off of the stated “less than $350″ price has been guaranteed for all contributors.

Here are the specifications provided on the project page:

- 16 GB mass storage;

- Wifi and Bluetooth;

- 4:3 touchscreen;

- 2 main lens, first for main capture, second for 3D filters, webcam applications and QR Code capturing;

- Optical zoom;

- Led Flash;

- Internal printer to make your Instagram photos real;

- Paper cartridge with Instagram Paper Sheets;

- Dedicated 4 colors ink tanks;

- InstaOs 1.0, which put together Facebook and Instagram App feature;

- Pairing with iPhone and Android App;

If you would like to see this one-of-a-kind camera to come to life, head over to its Indigogo page to pledge your support.

Instagram Camera: Hipsters Unite to Fund the Socialmatic Camera

The bags combine sharp functionality with bright colors and a street-wise design that should make them the camera bags of choice for contemporary photographers.

In our opinion, photography and videography is part of a creative mindset, but there is nothing interesting on the market, in terms of camera accessories, for people who want to express that. With our camera bags and other camera accessories, we want to give them that option.

– Jakob Wictorén, CEO of Visualante

You can see the bags in better detail in the video below:

Visualante was founded in 2009 by a group of collective minds who wanted to “reform the monochromatic photography and videography industry by bringing street and skate heritage and imposing its values on the company and its products.”

Visualante’s 2012 Camera Bag Collection: When Street and Skate Heritage Come Together

The traditional top-mounted camera strap has topped the complaints list of numerous photographers, so it was only a matter of time before Custom SLR came up with the C-Loop Camera Strap Mount Solution.

What C-Loop does is relocate the attachment point of the strap from the top to the bottom and integrate a swivel to reduce twisting and tangling.

C-Loop Features

• Eliminate Strap Interference: Quicker access, flexibility and improved handling.
• Smooth Rotation: The C-Loop swivels 360 degrees to reduce tangling and for smooth panning
• Low Profile: Makes it easier to transition from landscape to portrait shots
• Increased Security: Lens comfortably tucks away making mobility easy in tight or crowded areas
• Compatibility: Works with existing camera straps and all devices with a tripod mount

The C-Loop Camera Strap Mount Solution is available from Custom SLR’s website for $39.95.

C-Loop Gets Your Camera Strap Out of the Way

The V-Flat, also known as a “book” (looks like a giant folder to me…), is usually comprised of two sides, a white portion and a black portion.

Essentially, all you need to do to create a V-Flat is tape together two 4 ft x 8 ft mounting boards, which should be no less than half an inch thick to prevent them from tipping over, using gaffer’s tape. And voila, you now have your own V-Flat that you can use to shoot portraits using either the white or black background — all for only $50-100 per. Hit the source link for some detailed tips on how to use one.

V-Flat: The Budget-Friendly Portrait Gear

Purchasing fancy pro microphones will cost a couple of hundred dollars, at the very least. But if you don’t have that kind of money to spend, then you might want to look into this alternative that Fstoppers has presented.

It’s pretty cool, because all you need is an iPhone (or any smart phone) and an app called iTalk, which is available for free on iTunes. Assuming you already own the phone, you get good audio for a technically free solution that provides comparable and quality results.

Give it a go and tell us how this method worked for you!

How to Use Your iPhone to Record High-Quality Audio for Your Videos

Of course, you should always take their advice and what they say in the forums with a grain of salt. What you should remember instead is this: Performance matters more than mere opinion or brand loyalty. What works for one pro might not work for you, so it’s best that you do your own research and test out whichever camera brand you’re considering buying into.

In the meantime though, you can check out the Canon versus Nikon DSLR shootout by Philip Bloom. He covers differences in  resolution, aliasing, low-light, and features three of the top cameras currently on the market: the 5D Mark III from Canon, and the D800 and D4 from Nikon.

Bloom offers side-by-side comparisons for both sets of cameras, which will impart some great knowledge that you can then use when you drop by your local camera store.

Philip Bloom Pits the Canon 5D Mark III Against the Nikon D800 and D4

Here’s the

StickyGram

I’m a big fan of StickyGram.  A few weeks ago we were lucky to have a StickyGram giveaway on TogTech where prizes were awarded to everyone who entered.  Their little instagram magnets are a great idea – I just ordered a batch, my fridge needs more magnets.

ExtraGram

ExtraGram provides a simpler cleaner layout compared to Webstgarm.  The inerface is dark

http://extragr.am/

Statigram

Statigram is an instagram account management tool.  It allows you to follow your instagram stats, browse photos and chat with other users.

http://statigr.am/

Pingram

If you can’t get enough of Pinterst, you’ll love Pingram.  Essentially a Pinterest for instagram.

Gramfeed

Gramfeed is again, a search and browse web app.  Unique to this site is the location search which can be cool for finding near-by instagram-ers and yet another reminder why you shouldn’t post your geo-location on all your photos.

http://www.gramfeed.com/

Webstagram

Webstagram is essentially an online web view for instagram.  It let’s you search, like, browse, comment on the photos you find.  It has it’s fair share of ads and blinking lights but is a decent solution to bringing your photo browsing online.

http://web.stagram.com/

INK361

Another instagram browser – another simple and elegant interface.  Ads on the site are relatively subtle, save a few somewhat annoying pop-ups.

Instaport

Instaport is the go-to web app for backing up your instagram portfolio.

http://instaport.me/

Instagrid

Instagrid is an elegant portfolio building tool for your insta-photos, letting people who aren’t on instagram follow your feed

http://instagrid.me/

hashtagram

Hashtagram is a full page image viewer which shows a live feed of any hash tag.  Great for conferences or parties where you want to show images from your event live on the big screen.

http://www.hashtagram.com/

Others?

Did we miss any?  What’s your favorite web apps.  Let us know in the comments.

The Definitive Instagram Web App Round-Up

Photojojo’s Level Camera Cube is a 1″ x 1″ x 1″ cube that slides into your camera’s hot shoe with a 3-axis level allowing you to shoot both horizontally and vertically.

Once the cube is attached to your camera, use it to level out your shots by pointing at your subject, aligning the bubbles of the cube to set up a straight and narrow frame, and then click away.

The Level Camera Cube is available from Photojojo for $15. But get two, and they’ll throw in a discount and slash the price down to $25.

In post, if your shot’s still aren’t perfect, you can use the new Photoshop CS6 feature “Adaptive Wide Angle Filter”.

Photojojo’s Level Camera Cube Helps Level Your Shots Out

The application operates through a USB connection with the camera, giving the user control of the camera via the smart phone. Check out the features at the application website.

Below is a short video that shows how to connect the camera, as well as a few of the app’s features.

The application is still in Beta, and the developers have not released any news regarding plans for future features, or the inclusion of other camera models; however, if you use a Canon EOS DSLR and an Android smartphone, I recommend you check this app out and make the most of both your devices.

Android’s “DSLR Controller” and your Canon EOS DSLR