Pixiq says that recently published tests suggest that even the cheap Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, which costs $100, can be better than a Carl Zeiss Planar T50 f/1.4 that costs $725.

DxO, the company that tests lenses and cameras, published tests that, looking at the numbers, "places most of the Carl Zeiss line of lenses behind, sometimes far behind, its Canon and Nikon siblings," according to Pixiq.

Read the entire entry and judge for yourself.

I've always been jealous of anyone with a Zeiss lens. Anybody here own one? Do you like it?

Sony press release

Sony has unveiled two new 16.2-megapixel Cyber-shot digital still cameras that offer Full HD video shooting capability at the touch of a dedicated movie button. Recording video at 60 progressive frames per second (1920x1080 60p), both cameras can capture fast-moving action with exceptional smoothness and clarity.

Camera GearGuide says the Samsung NX100 compact system camera makes a compelling option for photographers looking to travel with all the benefits of their DSLR camera (image quality, control, and lens options) minus the weight and burden of a much larger camera system. In most regards, the NX100 achieves the goals of a compact system camera, and innovations like the i-Function lens capability certainly help to distinguish it from the growing number of competitors. But all is not perfect; read the full review here.

Camera GearGuide makes another interesting point: The growth of compact system cameras or “mirrorless” cameras on DSLR sales in the interchangeable lens camera market. Olympus and Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) cameras are relatively popular, and Sony has been making big waves with its NEX camera system. But according to GearGuide, Samsung seems determined to make an impact on this market as well.

PhotoWalkPro sums up the buzz about a rumored Nikon press event Feb. 9, and speculates that the company will announce a replacement for the D700 that could include full HD video like the D7000 and D3100, 1080p resolution, and 18 megapixels.

Read the entire post here. Do you have a D700, and are you happy with it?

Even though it had a tough 4th quarter, Canon finished 2010 with an 87% increase in profits in its worldwide operations.

And although much of that profit comes from its office products, Peter K. Burian writes on Pixiq that its photography business contributed quite a bit as well.

Peter looks ahead to 2011 and emerging markets in this piece on Pixiq.

Michael Rubin, director of product marketing for the Digital Imaging Division of Casio America, sat down with Michael R. Tomkins of The Imaging Resource this week for a chat about the future of digital cameras and Casio's plans for 2011. Among the highlights:

Information from Sony press release

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Sony unveiled several new point-and-shoot Cyber-shot digital still cameras starting at about $110.