PlayStation 4 first impressions: Sony is playing it safe
Sony began its PS4 press conference on Wednesday evening with a video that stated, "Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality. But to win, we don't need to fight. We need to play." The soundtrack was a pop punk song by Metric.
For all its talk of war, though, Sony was definitely playing it safe with the announcement of the PlayStation 4.
There was nothing mind-blowing during the two-hour-long presentation, but the PS4 also has a lot of potential.
And while the announcement wasn't exactly disappointing, plenty of the things on our most-wanted list were notably absent.
The good
Let's talk about the good first. For one thing, games like Suckerpunch's Infamous: Second Son, Guerilla's Killzone: Shadow Fall, Evolution Studios' Drive Club, and even Sony's first-party Knack look promising, if not necessarily miles ahead of the current generation's offerings. We were thrilled to see Jonathan Blow on stage talking about The Witness, the Braid successor that's been in development for three years, not to mention Blizzard's surprise reveal of Diablo 3 for PS4 and PS3. Even Bungie's presence, while predictable given the dearth of information presented during Destiny's "reveal" last week, was well-received. Same goes for Ubisoft's Watch Dogs; expected, but welcome. On the hardware side, TechRadar is perhaps most excited by the PlayStation 4's synergy with the PS Vita. Sony has been teasing true connectivity between its portable and living room consoles for years, but it looks like that may actually come to pass with the PS4 and PS Vita. Other PS4 details - like the 8GB of memory, or the streaming demos thanks to Sony's acquisition of Gaikai - stood out as truly next-gen features. Nintendo critics will no doubt be able to point to these and other PS4 details as signs that the Wii U is not a truly next-gen system, and it's starting to seem like they may have a point. The controller itself, the DualShock 4, brings innovation to the table while not abandoning the core features that PlayStation gamers love about the DualShock pads. It's got all the same buttons, plus a touchpad in the middle, a light bar across the top (presumably for motion controls), a 3.5mm headphone jack, a "share button," and some aesthetic improvements, like the blessedly concave control sticks. Frankly, it looks great to us.The missing
Unfortunately, there were plenty of PS4 details on our wish list that Sony somehow just couldn't fit into its two-hour presentation. Most obviously missing was the console itself - we didn't even catch a glimpse of what the new system will actually look like. We actually got deja vu from the Wii U's announcement at E3 a couple years back, when Nintendo showed the GamePad controller, but not the console. Confusion followed then, as it's sure to here. The PlayStation 4's price and specific launch titles were conspicuously left out, as well. On the topic of launch games, we liked what we saw, but one game was frustratingly absent, as it has been for years: The Last Guardian, the Team Ico follow-up that we're starting to think will never be released at all. The format of PS4 games is also unknown; besides digital downloadable releases, it's assumed that the PlayStation 4 will use Blu-ray, though Sony didn't actually mention as much. They also didn't mention rumors that the PS4 will feature DRM that will make it incompatible with used games, demolishing a large portion of the video game retail market - though we didn't really expect them to. To top it off, backwards compatibility with legacy PlayStation titles was mentioned briefly and vaguely but not expanded upon. It's possible that the PS4 will support backwards compatibility via the cloud at some point, but it seems unlikely that it will do so at launch.A new hope?
That said, what was shown of the PlayStation 4 has us salivating for more - more games, more details, more hardware specs, you name it. Sony has clearly got a drawn-out PR plan in mind for the PS4, as the absence of the actual system itself at Wednesday's announcement proves. But with a release window of "holiday 2013," sneakily inserted right at the end of the PS4 announcement, they can only stretch it out so long before the details are revealed and the PlayStation 4 is in our living rooms.
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Updated: Sony announces PS4 during NYC event, launching holiday 2013
Sony has officially lifted the lid off the PS4 during its New York City event today, showing that it wasn't just gathering journos, developers, and the watching world for the biggest practical joke ever.
The console, which Sony didn't show once during the 2-hour gathering, should arrive by holiday time 2013. It marks the first major system introduction from the Japan-based company since the PS3 was launched in 2003.
Minutes after the event got underway, Sony's Andrew House announced what we expected all along, but Mark Cerny, lead system architect, took his sweet time wandering through the console's specs.
Sony, with ample help from game developers, took attendees and viewers through a host of launch title games, many of which, interestingly enough, will also make it onto to the PS3.
Playtime
Let's take a look at the insides: The console owns an eight core, x86-64 AMD Jaguar CPU. It houses 8GB of GDDR5 unified high-speed memory, and a "highly advanced" PC GPU with "remarkable longterm potential." That processor, also made by AMD and referred to as a "next-generation Radeon based graphics engine" in a post-conference press release, boasts 18 compute units that together produce 1.84 teraflops of processing power. We'll also see Blu-ray and DVD support in the PS4, along with HDMI, Analog-AV, and optical digital output. Sony has inserted a secondary chip completely dedicated to uploading and downloading titles, regardless of whether the system is on or off. As for functions, Sony's included a suspend and resume feature accessible thanks to a press of the power button, eliminating boot time lag. Users can download or upload games in the background, which is helpful enough. Sony took it another step by allowing users to play games while the rest of the title loads. We've also been introduced to the all-new DualShock 4, a touchpad-packing controller especially designed for the new system. That holds some interesting potential for the system, and one we can't wait to get our hands on.
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Updated: Blizzard reveals 'Diablo 3' for PS4 and PS3
Blizzard has been developing PC games exclusively for some time, but that changed today with the announcement of Diablo 3 for Sony's PlayStation 4.
Blizzard's senior vice president of story and franchise development, Chris Metzen, took the stage to announce that Diablo 3 will be released not only for the PS4, but for PS3 as well, and that more will be revealed "in the coming months."
The controls and features have been optimized for consoles, including single-screen four-player co-op.
"Diablo 3 has never been easier to play," Metzen said.
The devil in Sony
Diablo 3 was released last year for Windows and Mac, following in the footsteps of previous Blizzard titles like Diablo 2, World of Warcraft, and Stacraft 2. But as Metzen pointed out, Blizzard got its start developing console games, and he said the developer is excited to begin branching out beyond the PC again with Diablo 3 for PlayStation 4 and PS3. He did not reveal any concrete release details, but said that the console version of Diablo 3 will appear again "in the coming months."PlayStation 4 launch titles
Developers ranging from LittleBigPlanet creators Media Molecule to the studios behind Killzone and Infamous, and even indie developer Jonathan Blow, took the stage in New York on Wednesday evening to discuss upcoming PS4 games. The titles revealed include Killzone: Shadow Fall, Infamous: Second Son, Drive Club, and Knack. Bungie was on hand to talk more about Destiny, the Halo successor revealed last week, as well as other developers talking about new and upcoming projects. Read more about the PS4's launch games and watch out for all the PlayStation 4 news you can handle right here.
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Updated: Sucker Punch, Guerilla Games bringing launch titles to PS4
Sony brought out its big guns for the PlayStation 4 launch line-up, including fan favorite studios Guerilla Games and Sucker Punch.
Killzone: Shadow Fall will see the return of the Hellghast once more, though the worlds in this latest iteration look much brighter and optimistic than those we've seen in previous Killzone games.
Though protagonist Cole may have died at the end of Sucker Punch's inFamous, but that doesn't mean the company is done with the do-it-yourself hero genre.
In an era of government observation, inFamous: Second Son will see a lot of new heroes springing up around the world, fighting back against oppression.
Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid, was also brought out to introduce The Witness, which will be an PS4 exclusive title, too.
Drive Club and Knack were also announced as all-new PlayStation 4 titles.
Don't forget the third party
More titles from longtime third-party partners of Sony's like Capcom, Atlus, EA and more were also teased during the conference. Capcom's Yoshinori Ono was the first to hit stage to discuss the publisher's upcoming slate of PlayStation 4 games, which will use the new Panta Rhei engine. Deep Down, the working title of a new fantasy game (which could be the next Dragon's Dogma title), will be part of Capcom's PS4 slate. Square Enix showed off more of the new Luminous Engine, though the footage was virtually identical to what was demoed previously. Final Fantasy brand manager Shinji Hashimoto popped in for a brief second to announce a Final Fantasy game was in development for PS4, but no other details were given.Even more in the pipeline
Ubisoft will be releasing a version of anticipated technological thriller Watch Dogs for the PS4. Surprising everyone in attendance, Blizzard's Chris Metzen was then introduced to reveal that former PC exclusive Diablo III will be coming out on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Activision's Eric Hirschberg then took the stage to talk about the publisher's commitment to the PlayStation 4. Bungie will debut its upcoming sci-fi shooter on the PlayStation 4, marking the first time the developer has been on a Sony console. There will be exclusive content specifically for the PlayStation consoles, as Destiny will also be coming to the PS3, though Activision has previously stated Destiny will not arrive in 2013. From top-tier exclusives from its best studios to multiplatform experiences from some of the most respected publishers and developers in the business, the PlayStation 4's game slate looks fairly impressive so far.
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Updated: Sorry PS3 games: no native hosting in PlayStation 4
During Wednesday's PlayStation Meeting, CEO of Gaikai Dave Perry came on stage to discuss just what the future of the cloud would hold for the PlayStation Network.
However, perhaps most importantly for PS gamers, the PS4 won't play PS3 games natively, meaning there will be no traditional backwards compatibility with Sony's next generation console.
However, all's not lost. According to Perry, plans are in place right now to develop the process of playing any game in the PlayStation catalog on any Sony device.
What that means is first-gen PlayStation games will be streamed via the PlayStation Cloud to the PS Vita, or PlayStation 2 games can be streamed to the PS4.
Developing...
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Updated: PS4 controller revealed: introducing the DualShock 4
It's been a long time coming, but today Sony finally revealed the PlayStation 4 console, and with it a new generation of PlayStation controllers.
The PS4 DualShock 4 controller features two sticks, four triggers, a directional pad, plus triangle, cross, circle, and square buttons, just like a classic PlayStation controller.
But it also has a touchpad across its face, and a PlayStation Move-like "light bar" across the top. The start and select buttons have been moved to the sides to make room for the touchpad, and the DualShock 4 also features a "share" button next to the triggers and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The touchpad can be used for touch interactions and doubtless other processes that have yet to be revealed or imagined, while the color-changing light bar allows the controller to interact with the PS4's evolution of the PlayStation Eye, presumably for motion and pointing controls.
Introducing the DualShock 4
Lead system architect Mark Cerny revealed that the DualShock 4 features improved rumble, reduced latency and some other performance improvements, and gamers critical of the older PlayStation controllers' convex control sticks will be happy to note that the DualShock 4 has concave sticks. The PlayStation controller hasn't changed much over the years, from the original PS1 DualShock to the PS3's Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers. The PS4's DualShock 4 controller is both a huge departure from that formula and more of the same. Thanks to all the rumors and leaks leading up to it, though, the PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 didn't exactly come as a surprise.PlayStation Move isn't dead
Alex Evans, co-founder of LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule, later took the stage to discuss what his studio has been doing on the PlayStation 4. While he didn't show a new game, per se, he did show a creative tech demo in which players sculpted and controlled avatars using the PS3's PlayStation Move controller. While this revealed little about Media Molecule's plans for the PS4, it did reveal that the PS Move motion controller won't be made obsolete by the light bar on the DualShock 4 controller - in fact, the PS Move will be fully compatible with the PS4.
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Updated: Sony and Gaikai join forces for social and remote play in PS4
Sony just revealed the PS4 and is marching through features for the new device. Social, however, is a central part of the system, as is checking out games before making a full commitment to buy.
Dave Perry, CEO and co-founder of Gakai, joined the conversation to talk about the potential of cloud and interactive gaming for the new system.
"With Gaikai and the PS Store, you'll be able to instantly experience anything you want. Try it for free, share if you like it, and pay only if you like it," he said to a full house (and millions watching online).
If you do decide to buy a game, your friends will get a notification of your purchase.
Social system
Social is at the core of the PS4 experience, Perry said - Facebook and Ustream are centrally integrated into the system. There's a share button on the PS4's specially developed controller (the DualShock 4) that can broadcast games in real time to friends, while connections can virtually look over gamers' shoulders for support or, more accurately, trash talking. Users can also use remote play to play games instantly on the PS Vita. The ultimate goal is to make all PS4 titles playable on the PS Vita, Perry said. Developing...
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The PlayStation 4 is coming... today
Unless Sony is staging the biggest practical joke in consumer electronics history, the PlayStation 4 is about to be unveiled at an event in New York.
TechRadar is at the venue and working on bringing you some pictures. The event kicks off at 11pm UK time, 6pm in New York, 3pm on the west coast and 10am in Sydney. So very soon!
What are we expecting from Sony, then, and what should you be expecting from TechRadar?
Well obviously it's the PS4 launch so we're going to find out what Sony has in store for the next generation of gaming. We're pretty sure we already know what the actual specs of the unit are, though there remains some confusion over the exact amount of GDDR5 memory and some perplexion regarding the mooted weak-ass AMD CPU. We're hoping for a nice surprise or two in this area - but we'll see.
What we really want to know is: will the PS4 offer 4K gaming? Will we get full-body motion control or are the Orbs of Move still blobby as ever? What kind of interaction with the PlayStation Vita will there be? And what launch titles will we see and just how pretty are they going to be?
Will the PS4 be backwards compatible with PS3 titles? What secrets does the DualShock 4 control pad have in store? And just how extensive will the console's media capabilities be?
All will be revealed later on, and rest assured TechRadar will be at the event in force to bring you every geeky detail of every feature. And if you can't wait to read more, check out our PS4 landing page to find out everything we know so far.
What do you want to see revealed at the PS4 event today?
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Yahoo redesigns its homepage with mobile-friendly news feed
Yahoo! is preparing to launch a new redesign for its homepage geared toward making the site easier to navigate for mobile and social users.
The main change will come from the site's shift to an endlessly scrolling news stream, allowing users to select a topic like news, entertainment, or sports and scroll to their heart's content instead of clicking through pages.
The site will also offer deeper social integration with Facebook and Yahoo! accounts, showing which news stories friends are sharing from a range of different sources.
It will even tap into Facebook for displaying information like friends' birthdays right on the homepage.
More changes to come
One benefit of the new homepage design is that it will become more mobile-friendly, as the infinitely scrolling news feed scales better and runs faster on smartphones and tablets than the current design. On the other hand, the deeper social features could end up just adding more clutter to an already busy homepage. Some users may already start to notice the changes, with Yahoo! saying that the new homepage will roll out to all users in the U.S. over the next few days. Yahoo! teased that more homepage changes are on the way, so we'll have to see in the coming months how far the web redesign rabbit hole goes.
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Heathrow outlets to go as another 37 HMV stores get the chop
Administrators for collapsed entertainment retailer HMV has announced that another 37 stores around the UK will close within the next six weeks.
The second wave of closures bring the total number to 99 locations - plus all HMV outlets in Ireland - since the business became unsustainable in January.
The latest spate of closures will see the loss of an additional 464 jobs and will add to the misery currently being experienced on the UK's high streets.
Back in January HMV faced permanent extinction before its debt was bought out by restructuring firm and HMV Canada owner Hilco HMV, allowing it to continue trading and receiving stock from suppliers.
Enhancing survival prospects
However, the company is still in the hands of administrators Deloitte and is by no means out of the woods yet, according to Nick Edwards, one of the joint administrators. He said: "This step has been taken in order to enhance the prospects of the restructured business continuing as a going concern. "We are extremely grateful to the staff for their continued strong support and commitment during an understandably difficult period." The additional stores to close are located include the Heathrow outlets, meaning no more super-cheap, duty-free CDs, games and DVDs for those long arduous transatlantic flights. The complete list of locations to fall is as follows: Ashford, Basildon, Bolton, Cheltenham, East Kilbride, Enfield, Folkestone, Glasgow Argyle, Gloucester, Grimsby, Hatfield Galleria, Heathrow T5 Departure Level, Heathrow Terminal 1, Heathrow Terminal 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Isle of Wight, Lancaster, Leadenhall, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Newbury, Newcastle Silverlink, Newport, Nuneaton, Redditch, Salisbury, Scarborough, Southport, Stafford, Staines, Stockport, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Woking.
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Spreading the satisfaction: SCE Japan boss explains PS Vita price cut
With all eyes on Wednesday's Sony PS4 launch event, it has not gone unnoticed that the Japanese giant has cut the price of the handheld PS Vita console by up to a third in the motherland.
From February 28, gamers in Japan will be able to grab the Wi-Fi and 3G versions of the powerful, 5-inch device for 19,980 yen (that's around UK£139, USD$214 and AUD$208).
Hiroshi Kawano, president of Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan, has admitted the price-tag has proven too prohibitive for prospective buyers, while the initial software catalogue has yet to inspire enough people.
Kawano told Famitsu magazine that the price cut was about getting more consoles in the hands of users, allowing them to share the satisfaction experienced by early adopters.
Tremendous satisfaction
He said: "The biggest reason is that we simply want to have more people playing the PS Vita. "Based on our research, there are two broad reasons why people who may want to try the Vita aren't purchasing it. One, they want to wait until there's a game they want to play on it. Two, the price is a little out of reach for them. "What we also learned in this research is that people who do own a Vita have tremendous satisfaction with it; it's the kind of platform where you get a feel for how good it is once you touch it. But we found that the price was too big an initial hurdle for this, and this sparked a long internal debate within SCE." Obviously, that debate has led to Sony seriously trimming its prospective profit margins in order to get more Vitas into the hands of consumers. Kawano did not intimate whether the price cut would be extended to other territories.
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Character assassination! Twitter link switch cuts tweeting space
A change to the way Twitter handles URLs has knocked two characters off the limit for those wishing to include web links within tweets.
The social network's method of automatically shortening links posted to the site will now leave 118 of the 140 characters available for the user's text accompaniment, instead of the previous 120 characters.
If a user is pasting a link from the secure 'https' protocol then the leftover tweeting space will fall from 119 characters to 117.
The change is to twitter's own URL-shortening service (although in many cases it doesn't shorten links) t.co, which transforms a link in to a pre-set number of characters.
Override
The site claims that t.co protects its users from 'malicious sites that engage in spreading malware' and allows the number of clicks (hence relevance) to be easily calculated. The t.co platform also overrides other link shortening services like fb.me and bit.ly meaning users are unable to use those to glean more space for their personal quips. The change was announced to third-party developers back in December, but only rolled out today. Back then the company posted: "We'd like to share some upcoming changes to our t.co link wrapper with the ecosystem. We're going to be extending the maximum length of t.co wrapped links from 20 to 22 characters for non-https URLs, and 21 to 23 characters for https URLs." So, for those who considered themselves the masters of succinct tweeting, while still leaving a few characters for the odd retweet, it's time to go back to the drawing board. Your lexical finesse has become a little more restricted.
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Last minute report says PlayStation 4 will adopt Xbox Live-like subscriptions
While Sony is preparing an official announcement for its next PlayStation console later today, rumors are still circulating about what online features the system will house.
A source recently reported to Kotaku that the PS4 will offer a paid premium subscription to access most of the system's online features.
The service is said to be called PlayStation World, and would replace the current PlayStation Plus subscription with something more similar to Microsoft's Xbox Live.
Such rumors should often be taken with a grain of salt, though Kotaku noted the anonymous source is the same one that originally revealed the PlayStation 4's codename, Orbis.
Only a matter of time
Along with the online rumors, the source suggested that the PlayStation 4 will launch in the U.S. sometime in November. There will allegedly be two models sold at the time, with U.S. pricing suggested to be $429 and $529 respectively. The prices are subject to change, of course, and it's not expected that Sony will announce the system's price during the event later today. In fact, the online subscription may still be a mystery after today if Sony focuses on an overview of the new hardware instead of specific features. There are only a few hours left until Sony makes the official PS4 debut, so be sure to check out our PS4 landing page to catch up on all of the reports and rumors so far.
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Explained: What the 4G auction means for you: which networks won and lost?
With the notion of not only 4G on the cards, but also talk of 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum being bandied about, it can get confusing very quickly – even the networks themselves have had trouble picking through the bids to see how their rivals have done.
But in a nutshell, the main technology you should care about within the 4G allocation is the frequencies on offer: 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2.6GHz are the three main areas and all have different characteristics in delivering data to your mobile, tablet or dongle.
800MHz was the most sought-after during the auction, simply because it travels so far and so well. This means that networks can deploy long range 4G networks that can carry everything from HD voice to high speed data, and can really help solve the issue of getting broadband to those who currently are devoid of the technology.
1800MHz is the frequency that EE has been using to provide the UK's first 4G network, and it's designed to offer a balance between coverage and speed, something that is hugely important when you're trying to get people to take up a new (and costly) service.
And finally: 2.6GHz (or 2600MHz if you're being specific) is the signal that's best for inner cities – think of it as a firework with a turbo-charged boost that fizzles out over long distances. This means it's great for short ranges with loads of people connecting at once rather than a few houses across the moors, which is why it's perplexing as to why some networks have eschewed it.
So who has won out of the auction? Let's run down what going to be happening network by network:
Vodafone
Dubbed the 'winners' of the auction by some, ol' Big Red has got the most spectrum from the auction – and across all frequencies too, so it can deploy 4G in rural areas and in big cities. It's got twice the amount of spectrum in the 800MHz band and shedloads at 2.6GHz, which means not only can it be one of the best to serve the outlying areas, but it will also have the power to go big in the cities too – plus it's also nabbed some frequency to improve its service efficiency too, resulting in cost savings. The network wants to 'do an EE' and liberalise some of its own spectrum for 4G as well at the 1800MHz range, so despite paying close to a quarter of a billion pounds, the 4G future looks strong in this one.What the network said:
"We've secured the low frequency mobile phone spectrum that will support the launch of our ultra-fast 4G service later this year. It will enable us to deliver services where people really want it, especially indoors. This is great news for our customers. The next generation of mobile internet services will bring real benefits to both consumers and businesses."Three
Much was made of Three's impending lack of 800MHz spectrum – it was widely expected that the network was going to have to stick with 2.6GHz and miss out on being a larger provider. As the winning "fourth national wholesaler", Three won the spectrum set aside to ensure it wasn't all nabbed by EE, Vodafone and O2. Word is that EE was going to be sucking up the 800MHz allocation, this leaving Three high and dry, but as it turns out, the numerical network prevailed. It has half the rural capacity of Vodafone, and doesn't have anything at the 2.6GHz level, but don't forget Three bought spectrum from EE as part of the deal to let the Orange and T-Mobile merger launch 4G early, so come October this year we'll be seeing 4G on 800MHz, 1800MHz and also high speed 3G at the 2100MHz level to make sure that its coverage is high. Given it only paid £225m for the privilege (and an undisclosed amount from EE) Three looks to have done well for the deal, and you'll be able to connect your mobile in a variety of ways and cheaply too; Three isn't hiking its prices when 4G launches, which is ace.What the network said:
"We have more than doubled our spectrum holdings in the past 12-months thanks to spectrum acquired at auction and outside the auction process. Doubling our capacity allows us to continue our growth with significant headroom to increase our current base of over 8m customers. "Consumer appetite for enjoying the internet via mobile devices continues to grow, playing to our strengths. With a significantly increased spectrum holding we will continue to be the competitive force in the UK mobile market,"EE
Another big hitter in the auction, EE was surprisingly active for a brand that's already throwing 4G onto the market in a big way. What's MORE surprising is the fact it didn't go for the rural-powering 800MHz band as strongly as its rivals - it only has half the spectrum of Vodafone. Sources tell us that this will allow it to offer a more wide coverage plan, and will allow things like being able to offer voice over LTE, which means rural areas can do useful things like, you know, talk to other people far away. However, this does raise concerns long term when the networks are required to carry more and more data and it won't have the bandwidth to keep up.
It's worth noting here that this doesn't mean the network won't be able to sort that out though, as Ofcom will allow trading of spectrum to happen now the auction is nearly done and dusted.
So in essence it seems EE is a good bet for the medium term, not least because it's already got a strong network infrastructure in place for actually deploying said spectrum, and in the cities it will supercharge its powers with a veritable glut of 2.6GHz frequency - in fact, it's nabbed the most out of any network in the race so will have a strong play going forward.
What the network said
"EE is extremely pleased with the outcome of the spectrum auction. Coupled with our existing 1800MHz 4G network, it consolidates our position as the most advanced, largest and most capable 4G operator in the UK. "The acquisition of low and high frequency spectrum allows us to boost our superfast data services and coverage - indoors and outdoors, in cities and the countryside. "This result means that we are perfectly placed to meet future data capacity demands - further enhancing the superfast 4G services we already offer the UK's consumers and businesses."O2
The effervescent network has sprung something of a surprise by only winning a portion of the 800MHz spectrum, and completely eschewing the 2.6GHz area. Word is that it's simply not cost-effective to be bidding for the higher frequency when it can fill that gap with Wi-Fi hotspots in the cities, which seems like a bold move when it's already spent £550m on nabbing the lower-end spectrum. As part of that deal, O2 has got a coverage obligation, which means it will have to make sure that it reaches the widest amount of the country (including indoor coverage). This could have a knock on positive effect for Vodafone too, as the two networks share sites to help lower the cost of extending out their coverage across the UK. Of course, O2 will be looking to leverage its existing spectrum to make sure it can offer the widest range of 4G possible, but given its already been liberalising its own 2G to help bring more 3G coverage to its customers, that space is getting pretty tight.What the network said
"Today, Telefónica has made a significant investment in next-generation 4G technology for the UK. While 4G will indeed allow for faster data speeds and a more seamless mobile experience, it is our intention to go beyond what has already been offered in the market and give our customers a unique and exclusive range of digital experiences, marking a new generation for the mobile industry.So what should I do if I want 4G?
Well, if price matter most to you, Three currently has the strongest proposition by promising not to hike up its prices when it deploys 4G – but then again, only it and EE have anything that resembles a 4G price. It looks like Vodafone has gone the hardest in terms of creating a new 4G network – it will have a strong presence in all areas, as well as being able to streamline its cost base through using 4G at the back end too. EE has solidified its presence in the 4G area thanks to nabbing spectrum in all the key areas, but questions will be raised long term over whether it will have enough spectrum to serve the country-dwellers if more start getting their data on. O2 could struggle to supply data to the same levels of the competition in cities if it can't create a truly ubiquitous network that can mitigate the lack of 4G – it will be interesting to see how this network chooses to bring 4G in other ways, as it could end up behind the competition in years to come otherwise. But the good news is that the end is near – sure, we still have to wait for all the spectrum location to be allocated (which has an effect on efficiency and coverage) but now consumers can look forward to the second half of 2013 when we can really see competitive services being launched that will supercharge your mobile phone, tablet and computer speeds.
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Acer lifts lid on Liquid Z2 ahead of MWC 2013
Kicking off its 2013 line-up, Acer has taken the wraps off the Acer Liquid Z2 - a cheap and cheerful entry-level Jelly Bean handset.
The Z2 has more diminutive proportions (and pricing) than its recently unveiled co-star, the Liquid E1, with a 3.5-inch HGVA screen and a choice of either a 3MP or 5MP rear-facing camera. Oh, and a slightly beefed-down 512MB of RAM.
The Liquid E1, meanwhile, comes loaded with a dual-core 1GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and a 4.5 inch qHD display. It's also got a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash, and a VGA quality front-facing camera.
Packing heat
Both entry-level devices come rocking Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, as well as 4GB of internal storage and microSD slot for memory boosting. Acer nailed both handsets down for a European launch, promising that it will hit France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Ukraine, followed by Russia, UK and Italy, although there's no official word on exactly when. The Liquid Z2 will come in at a wallet-friendly price somewhere between €99 and €129 (around £87 / US$132 to £113 / US$172). The Liquid E1, on the other hand, is likely to be priced between €199 (£174 or US$266) and €299 (£260 or US$400) when it arrives. All eyes on Barcelona next week when we'll get to see it in the flesh (well, plastic).
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LG Optimus F7 and F5 photos break cover ahead of MWC reveal
LG is all about the mysterious video-based hints as MWC 2013 looms ever closer, but two of its upcoming Android devices seem to have been unofficially revealed on Twitter.
LG recently unveiled the Optimus L Series II trio and Optimus G Pro ahead of the Barcelona conference, but the EVleaks Twitter account has now posted an image of what it's claiming to be the LG Optimus F7 and LG Optimus F5.
While both units have some slight differences between them, they certainly follow the style we'd expect from the Korean manufacturer.
Pick 'n' Mix
Right now there's nothing in the way of specs – all we've got to go on is this picture – but, if legit, it looks a dead cert that these are Android devices. We're fairly convinced by these pictures because the twitter account in question, EV Leaks, has shot to notoriety over the past months, with its phone leaks being more hit than miss. It also seems they're kicking off LG's new F series, as hinted in the recent teaser that highlighted four images and the rather intimidating taglines of "The StyLe", "The Freedom", "The Greatness", and "The View". The date seen on the phones in the image is May 1, so make of that what you will. LG will be holding its press event in Barcelona on February 25 so we expect to see something more official then. We'll be there, so stay tuned.
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Spotify Free may get mobile love if music renewal talks go well
Spotify free subscribers may soon be able to stream music on their phones as the service renegotiates its rights with music labels.
Sources talking to the Verge claim that Spotify is using its renewal talks to get better deals, with talks in progress with Warner, and Sony and Universal to follow.
The Verge says it's been told that "managers at Spotify are expected to ask for substantial price breaks", and that one condition the service is pushing for is that it can offer mobile streaming to free subscribers.
Spot the difference
There's no mention of whether this would include offline caching too, and we'd be surprised if Spotify lifted or extended the limits currently on its free tier, which include a maximum number of plays for each song and a limit on how many hours listening you can do per day. Non-paying users can use Spotify to listen to songs they own on a mobile but can't stream any music from Spotify itself. There's no guarantee that Spotify will get its way in these talks, with record labels traditionally loathe to give any money-making ground; likewise, it'll be interesting to see if subscription rates drop off if Spotify does offer free mobile access. Spotify currently offers three tiers of access. There's free, which nabs you desktop streaming but with constant advertising interruptions and a monthly usage limit. An Unlimited account gets you desktop listening with no ads but doesn't include the mobile access; you need a premium account for that. If the free or unlimited tiers nab mobile streaming, it's not really clear why you'd then shell out for a premium account. We'll be keeping an eye on this one for sure.
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New Google Glass video takes it a step closer to reality
Google's latest video shows off just what it will be like to use Google Glass, its revolutionary pair of interactive glasses.
Google shows the view from twirling ballerinas, ice-skaters spinning and a child inside a giant bubble and a hot air balloon ride - you know, just your everyday activities. There's no sitting at a desk for eight hours involved.
A host of new features are demonstrated, with voice interactions, photo and video capabilities, navigation directions, sharing features and integration with Google Now among the highlights.
Now that's what I call eyewear
The company has also expanded pre-orders asking for "bold, creative individuals" to tweet or use Google+ to earn the chance to get a pair - there's a hashtag you can follow (#ifihadglass) that definitely won't be abused. Unfortunately for Google Glass fans in the wider world, you'll have to be a US resident to be eligible. Not to worry, Google says the glasses are set to be launched by 2014 at the latest so there's not too long left to wait. If you've steeled your stomach, then check out the full video below:
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Review: Shogun Bros. Ballista MK-1
You probably don't recognise the name Shogun Bros, but you might have seen its first mouse, the Chameleon, in last year's CES coverage. It was the bizarre rodent that could be flipped over and used as a gamepad.
Now the Hong Kong-based company is back with a more serious gaming mouse, the Ballista MK-1, and it's rather impressive.
The curves of the Ballista MK-1 are classic right-handed ergonomics, immediately separating this mouse from the Roccat Lua. There are many other differences too, not least the use of more precise laser tracking as opposed to optical tracking, making the Ballista a much more fully functioning game-centric mouse.
Shogun Bros is new to the UK, and hopefully by the time you read this it will have sorted out distribution over here as well as in the US. It has a neat line in compact mech-switch gaming keyboards too, so I'm welcoming it with open arms.
Precisely
The headline feature for the Ballista MK-1 is that huge 8,200dpi setting, but for me the general performance of the mouse is more interesting. At the top dpi setting I find it too easy to lose my bearings mid-frag - a little jolt of the wrist and you're facing the opposite direction. Still, 5,600dpi is precise and pretty darned rapid. The switching is intuitive too, letting you flick between dpi settings on the fly via a switch by your thumb. Personally though, it was the smooth tracking of your mouse movements that really warmed me to the Ballista MK-1. Despite the rapid movement that comes with those seriously high dpi settings there was never a time where it felt jerky or twitchy. Fine-grain movements were possible, and smooth tracking shots also became second nature. I'm not going to say the Ballista suddenly made up for my general lack of twitch-gaming skills, but it certainly made sure that I had nothing else to blame for poor performance but my own dearth of proficiency. Shogun Bros has also added in a further set of programmable buttons to complement the side-mounted forward/back buttons next to your thumb. These sit by the right mouse button, and are surprisingly easily accessible during battle. It may take a little bit of getting used to their placement, but they become useful accessories when you do. The added macro creator in the Shogun Bros software is also impressive, allowing a full range of macro recording to be tied into any of the programmable buttons, in five customisable profiles. Inevitably though, for such an ergonomically designed mouse, the Ballista is going to immediately antagonise the left-handed gamer out there. While you can switch around the primary and secondary buttons easily enough, it's never going to be comfortable to use in the left hand. But that's obviously only an issue for lefties. For the rest of us the Ballista MK-1 is a nicely designed, well-weighted gaming rodent with incredible precision. It won't suddenly make you the best Planetside gamer in the world, but it does mean that you can't blame your tools.
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iPhone 5 becomes world's best selling smartphone
In the battle between Samsung and Apple the iPhone 5 has beaten Samsung's flagship phone in sales during the last months of 2012.
The iPhone 5 became the best selling smartphone in the world with the Samsung Galaxy S3 being pushed into third placed behind the iPhone 4S, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics.
The figures show that Apple's latest phone sold 27.4 million units during the last three months of 2012 - that's more than the entire population of Australia.
During the same period the S3 sold 15.4 million units and the iPhone 5's older brother, the 4S, managed to sell 17.4 million devices.
The combined sales of the two Apple phones make up one in five of all smartphones shipped during the quarter, giving them a 20 per cent share of the entire market. Although these figures don't take into account the sales of other Samsung phones.
Not over yet
Total sales of smartphones around the world reached 217 million, making a leap from 172 million in the preceding months. Apple's dominance is in sharp contrast to the third quarter of 2012 when the S3 was perched above both iOS devices, selling 18 million units. Samsung shouldn't be too worried though as the S3 is still selling well despite the fact that it has been around for over nine months. The fall from the top rung doesn't come as a huge surprise considering Apple's latest phone went on sale just before the period in question, and legions of iPhone fans skipped the samey iPhone 4S in favour of waiting for a bigger upgrade. While Apple can enjoy being on top of the smartphone world for the time being the sales pendulum is likely to swing back in the favour of Samsung when the rumoured Samsung Galaxy S4 is released, possibly as early as next month.
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Analysis: Why 4G just got interesting
Spectrum auctions aren't usually this interesting.
This week's UK 4G auction has proven that our Chancellor is a dolt, given unexpected frequencies to Three and signalled the return of BT to the mobile broadband party.
You certainly don't get that much action in Homes Under The Hammer.
It's a shame that we can't just laugh openly at George Osborne, who was rather disappointed when the auction only generated £2.3 billion instead of the £3.5 billion-plus he was hoping for.
Unfortunately for the rest of us, the numbskull has already factored the money into this year's budget, so that's another billion quid he'll have to find by throwing pensioners into quarries or whatever his latest money-saving wheeze is.
But let's not linger on the dreadful economic implications. How's this going to shake out?
UK 4G: Who's got what
One of the auction surprises was that Three got some 800MHz spectrum, which many pundits reckoned wasn't going to happen. 800MHz is an important frequency because the longer the wavelength, the further the signal can travel - so an 800MHz frequency delivers better rural coverage than a 2,600MHz one. That means in about six months time we'll have operators on three different frequencies: 800MHz, where you'll find O2, Three, EE and Vodafone; 1800MHz, where EE and Three currently operate; and 2.6GHz, where once again you'll find O2, EE and Vodafone. You'll also find someone else in that frequency band: BT. BT got out of the mobile phone business a long time ago - today's O2, owned by Telefonica, started life as BT Cellnet (the pensioners among us will remember the annoying "Surf the BT Cellnet" ads and people getting excited about WAP). So what the bally heck is it doing buying big chunks of 2.6GHz spectrum? The short answer is "not phones". As BT told us last year, it has no plans to become a mobile operator: the spectrum will most likely be used to help get broadband to rural areas where cabling simply isn't cost-effective and giving people 4G antennas is a better option.Bands on the run
So what does this mean for you? Well, on the face of it it seems that some operators are going to have much better 4G services than others. As a rule of thumb 800MHz spectrum means better long-distance range and 2.6GHz means better speeds; ideally you'll want to sign up with a carrier who has both, ensuring the best speeds in cities and the best coverage when you're in rural areas. Unfortunately, not every operator is going to be able to offer that. There are clear winners and losers in this auction. EE's got the biggest grin: in addition to its current 1800MHz spectrum it now gets 800MHz and 2.6GHz too, enabling it to offer 4G on three frequency bands. Vodafone has 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum, giving it two bands, and it's asked Ofcom for permission to use its existing 1800MHz capacity too, potentially giving it three 4G bands. Three got 800MHz spectrum and already has some of EE's 1800MHz spectrum (although it can't use that until late this year) giving it two frequency bands. And O2 is stuck in the 800MHz band, with no 1800MHz or 2.6GHz spectrum at all. That means when you're choosing 4G, you'll need to choose carefully. 4G promises much, but the operators are going to have very different ways of delivering on those promises.
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Asus prepping a MWC 2013 'metallic miracle' and alien invasion
Hot on the heels of LG's teaser for MWC 2013, Taiwanese firm Asus has released a fairly bonkers video to get you in the mood for the Barcelona event.
In the video we see an alien invasion sweep over the Catalonian city, with the shiny metallic spaceship landing on the famous Sagrada Familia church.
A crazed onlooker (read: bad actor) in the video declares, "Wait! Is that a metallic object flying across the sky? It's landing... it's docked into the church!", as the message "ultimate craftsmanship, today" resonates on screen.
Embrace the metallic miracle
It all seems a bit much and Asus leaves us pondering a request at the end of the bizarre teaser: "Join Asus to embrace the metallic miracle." What does this all mean? Well hopefully it's not the end of the world and merely the fact Asus has a lovely, fully metallic tablet or smartphone ready to delight us. Now we're not afraid of an Independence Day style attack here at TechRadar, so we're taking it upon ourselves to indeed join Asus in Barcelona and find out what the hell it's talking about. Expect to hear us muttering "everyone's trying to get out of Barcelona, and we're the only schmucks trying to get in" sometime next week (and if this is lost on you, then you need to go and watch Independence Day stat).
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Updated: Best DSLR: top cameras by price and brand
Best Canon DSLRs
Updated: Our list of best DSLRs has been revised to include new cameras and to show the latest prices, in British pounds, US and Australian dollars. Choosing the best DSLR for your needs can be a decision fraught with difficulties, not least because there are so many capable models on the market that it's hard to know which camera is the top digital camera for your needs. At one end of the scale manufacturers compete fiercely to provide the easiest entry point into DSLR photography, with intelligent exposure modes and in-camera guides to make the journey as painless as possible, while at the other they battle to deliver the most environmentally-sealed, fastest-shooting models complete with high-resolution sensors, detailed LCD screens and, of course, video recording. Such variety means that you as the consumer are more likely to end up with a camera tailored to your requirements, but finding the best camera for your needs is a question of weighing the many pros and cons attached to each. The following guide has been designed to make your decision easier. We've broken down the specs of all the manufacturers' top DSLRs that are current or still available to purchase in order to help you choose the best Canon DSLR, best Nikon DSLR or digital SLR camera from any of the other manufacturers, to suit your needs as a photographer. Within each section you will find, for instance, the Canon DSLRs' or Nikon DSLRs' key functionality broken out so that you can compare which camera offers the best specs at a glance. We've also picked out our best digital camera buys for a range of budgets, starting from the novice with some savings to blow through up to the professional who may require a more solid workhorse.Best Canon DSLRs
What's the best Canon DSLR? In this section we'll take a look at the best Canon DSLRs that are either current models or still available for purchase. We've included the price, key specs and a short synopsis of each Canon DSLR to give you a better idea of which camera is best for your needs.Canon 1100D /Canon Rebel T3
Price: £300/US$400/AU$400 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 12.2MP, HD video: 720p
With its on-screen Features guide and Creative Auto options, the Canon EOS range's most junior member has beginner DSLR users in mind, but it goes on to offer HD video recording and the same 63-area iFCL metering system as seen on the enthusiast EOS 7D.
Read our Canon EOS 1100D
review
Canon 600D/Canon Rebel T3i
Price: £430/US$530/AU$500 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
Building on the basic specifications of the 550D, the Canon EOS 600D sweetens the deal with an articulated LCD screen, built-in wireless flash control and a handful of funky Creative Filters for instant processing effects. You can even rate your images in-camera, should you want to pick out any favourites.
Read our Canon EOS 600D review
Canon 650D/Canon Rebel 4Ti
Price: £530/US$650/AU$670 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
Canon's latest DSLR may be the first to have touchscreen control, but the manufacturer hasn't forgotten that many photographers like real buttons and dials, so all the usual controls are still present.
Some of the pixels on the 18 million pixel Hybrid CMOS sensor are used by a new phase detection autofocus (AF) system that works in combination with the usual Live View contrast detection AF system during video shooting or when images are composed on the screen instead of in the viewfinder. The aim is to make autofocus during Live View and Video shooting faster and more accurate.
Read our full Canon EOS 650D review
Canon 60D
Price: £630/US$900/AU$840 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
The sole double-digit EOS member may offer the same 18MP resolution as its cheaper siblings, but with a sturdy aluminium body, pentaprism viewfinder and 5.3fps burst mode it belongs in the hands of the enthusiast.
The Canon EOS 60D sweeps to victory to take our Best mid-range DSLR award.
Read our Canon EOS 60D review
Canon 7D
Price: £1,070/US$1,440/AU$1,250 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
An 18MP sensor paired with a blisteringly fast 8fps burst rate is just the beginning, as the EOS 7D goes on to list a 100% pentaprism viewfinder, 19-point AF system and dual-axis electronic levelling functionaltity as further incentives over the 5D Mark II.
Read our Canon EOS 7D review
Canon 6D
Price: £1,600/US$1,900/AU$2,300 (body only) Specs: Full frame, 20.2MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 100-25,600 (expandable to ISO 50-102,400), Wi-Fi, GPS
Although it has a full-frame sensor like the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the Canon EOS 6D has a much smaller body and a simpler control layout, making it more appealing to enthusiast rather than professional photographers. In many ways it's like a full-frame Canon EOS 60D.
The 20.1MP Canon 6D has the honour of being the first DSLR to feature Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS technology built-in. The Wi-Fi system is particularly useful because it enables the camera to be controlled remotely (with a decent selection of settings, including exposure, being adjustable) by an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
It's a great camera that's capable of producing superb images in a range of situations, but some may be disappointed by its 97% viewfinder coverage (rather than 100%) and lack of a built-in flash.
Read our Canon EOS 6D review
Canon 5D Mark III
Price: £2,340/US$3,150/AU$3,600 (body only) Specs: 22.3MP, HD video: 1080p
Although the 22.3MP Canon EOS 5D Mark III doesn't present any significant advantages in resolution over its predecessor, Canon has upgraded most of that model's core features for this new release. Benefits include faster DIGIC 5 processors, a more refined AF system and changes to the video functionality, in addition to a wider ISO span and a faster burst rate.
Read our Canon EOS 5D Mark III review
Canon 1D X
Price: £4,850/US$6,730/AU$7,300 (body only) Specs: 18.1MP, HD video: 1080p
Canon's amalgamation of its 1D and 1Ds models, the 1D X aims to cater for a variety of professional users. Although its resolution is a step down from the 21.1MP of the previous 1Ds Mark III, its 12fps burst mode – expandable to 14fps in the Super High Speed Shooting mode – as well as a 61-point AF system and maximum extended ISO setting of ISO 204,800 set a new standard for the pro market.
Read our Canon EOS-1D X review
Best Nikon DSLRs
What's the best Nikon DSLR? In this section we'll take a look at the best Nikon DSLRs that are either current models or still available for purchase. We've included the price, key specs and a short synopsis of each Nikon DSLR to give you a better idea of which camera is best for your needs.Nikon D3100
Price: £330/US$450/AU$490 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 14.2MP, HD video: 1080p
The D3100 replaces the D3000 as Nikon's most basic DSLR, adding 4.2MP to the sensor and (finally) the ability to shoot raw and high-quality JPEGs at the same time, as well as the now-standard Live View and HD movie recording options.
Read our Nikon D3100 review
Nikon D5100
Price: £350/US$500/AU$510 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Building on the framework of the D5000, the D5100 adds a larger and more detailed LCD screen that now articulates from the side, and boosts sensor resolution to 16.2MP (matching the D7000). It also provides a series of special effects which may be applied to both images and videos, while further improvements have been made to its video functionality, too.
Read our Nikon D5100 review
Nikon D3200
Price: £440/US$600/AU$820 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 24.2MP, HD video:1080p
Nikon introduced the D3200 as a better specified companion to the D3100 in its entry-level range of DSLRs. It features a 24.2 million pixel CMOS sensor and the same EXPEED 3 processing engine as the top-end D4. The novice-friendly Guide Mode found on the D3100 is present, but has been enhanced with guides including Reds In Sunsets. Noise is well controlled through the native sensitivity range (ISO 100-6400) and images have plenty of detail, but the screen doesn't always display image colour accurately.
The Nikon D3200 wins our Best entry-level DSLR award.
Read our Nikon D3200 review
Nikon D90
Price: £440/US$780/AU$750 (body only) Specs: 12.3MP, HD video: 720p
The first DSLR to have been equipped with HD video recording, Nikon's mid-range D90 proves itself to be an all-round capable performer with its high-resolution 3-inch LCD, 11-point AF system and 4.5fps burst rate. It's not the newest Nikon DSLR, but being bundled with an 18-105mm kit lens does give it a slight edge over the more typical 18-55mm kit packages.
Read our Nikon D90 review
Nikon D5200
Price £650/US$800/AU$920 Specs: APS-C, 24.2MP, ISO 100-6400 (expandable to ISO 100-25,600), vari-angle LCD, HD video: 1080p
The Nikon D5200 is a blend of the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D7000 with a new 24.2 million-effective pixel sensor. Apart from the addition of a drive mode button on its top-plate and very minor changes to the size, the Nikon D5200 looks very similar to the Nikon D5100. Inside, however, it has the same metering and AF systems as the Nikon D7000 above it in the Nikon DSLR lineup.
Like the Nikon D5100, the Nikon D5200 has a 3-inch 921,000-dot articulating LCD screen that enables you to compose images from a range of angles. Disappointingly this screen is not touch-sensitive.
While the Nikon D5200 has a simple control layout and a clear user interface that gives relatively quick access to the most important features, enthusiast photographers may wish for a few extra direct controls.
Our tests reveal that the Nikon D5200 generally produces high quality images, but the shadow areas of some images taken at ISO 3200 and above may suffer from slight banding, which limits the size at which they can be used.
Read our Nikon D5200 review
Nikon D7000
Price: £650/US$900/AU$1,200 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Striking a balance between the enthusiast D300s and the ageing D90, the D7000 provides the capable combination of a 39-point AF system, Full HD video recording and a sensitivity range up to an equivalent ISO 25,600 setting. Nikon has also been generous enough to throw in two SD card slots and a virtual horizon feature, and even an intervalometer for time-lapse shooting.
Read our Nikon D7000 review
Nikon D300s
Price: £1,120/US$1,700/AU$1,850 (body only) Specs: 12.3MP, HD video: 720p
The winning formula of the D300 with the added extra of video functionality, the D300s is a solidly crafted mid-range DSLR. While its focusing system and higher frame rate place it above the cheaper D7000, its resolution and video quality both fall a little short by comparison - for these reasons, an upgrade is believed to be just around the corner.
Read our Nikon D300s review
Nikon D800
Price: £1,930/US$2,800/AU$3,390 (body only) Specs: 36.3MP, HD video: 1080p
The long-awaited successor to the landmark D700 model, the D800 boosts a pixel count to a staggering 36.3MP while also adding video recording, a larger LCD screen and EXPEED 3 processing to the mix. Coincidentally, the camera also follows Canon's recent EOS 5D Mark III and 60D models in sporting a less angular body than previous generations. Our tests reveal that it is capable of capturing a fantastic amount of detail - it's only just beaten by the D800E.
Read our Nikon D800 review
Nikon D800E
Price: £2,360/US$3,100/AU$3,670 (body only) Specs: 36.3MP, HD video: 1080p
Identical to the D800, save for a revised anti-aliasing filter to increase resolution. Nikon has pitched this DSLR at photographers dealing with subjects less likely to cause aliasing effects such as moiré, but that require maximum resolution. It's ideal for landscape, still life and macro photography. Currently the model is priced £300/$300 more than its launch partner, just under the asking price of its closest rival, Canon's EOS 5D Mark III.
Read our Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E comparison
Nikon D4
Price: £4,250/US$6,000/AU$6,700 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Replacing the D3s, the 16.2MP Nikon D4 debuts a 91,000 pixel metering sensor and offers 10, 11 and 25fps burst modes (the latter at a reduced resolution), while also squeezing in a range of changes to its predecessor's video specifications. The camera also has the honour of being the first to support the XQD media format.
Read our Nikon D4 review
Nikon D3x
Price: £5,000/US$6,700 (around AU$7,500) (body only) Specs: 24.5MP, HD video: none
Externally similar to the D3s, but with a higher resolution sensor on the inside to justify the premium price. Developed with studio and landscape work more in mind, you also don't get quite as high a frame rate nor as wide a sensitivity range as the D3s, and there's also no video recording. Where resolution is concerned, the D800 poses a significant threat to the D3x, offering a 36.3MP full-frame sensor for half the price.
Read our Nikon D3x
review
Best Sony DSLRs and Best Sony SLTs
Strictly speaking Sony doesn't offer DSLRs any more, because its Alpha cameras have a fixed translucent mirror. Sony calls them Single Lens Translucent cameras or SLT cameras for short, but for many photographers the difference is insignificant. That fixed mirror means that SLTs can use phase detection autofocusing regardless of whether the image (or video) is being composed on the screen or in the viewfinder. Most SLRs have to use a slower contrast detection system in live view and video mode. Another consequence of the mirror being fixed is that SLTs have an electronic viewfinder (EVF) rather than an optical one. This link explains more about Sony SLTs. So which is the best Sony SLT? In this section we'll take a look at the best Sony DSLT/DSLRs that are either current models or still available for purchase. We've included the price, key specs and a short synopsis of each Sony DSLR to give you a better idea of which camera is best for your needs.Sony Alpha a37
Price: £300/US$500/AU$550 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 16.1MP, HD video:1080p
Sony has designed the Alpha 37's 16.1 million pixel sensor to work in harmony with the Bionz processor to produce better images than its predecessor, the Alpha 35. The 15-point AF system with three cross-type points also offers improved object tracking and Quick AF modes. Sony's Auto Portrait Framing system that automatically crops an image to improve composition post-capture sounds odd, but usually works well. The A37 delivers bright, punchy pictures with accurate colours, adding up to an enticing camera for novices and enthusiasts on a budget.
Read our Sony Alpha a37 review
Sony Alpha a57
Price: £500/US$500/AU$730 (body only) Specs: 16.1MP, HD video: 1080p
The Alpha 57 borrows heavily from the design of the enthusiast Alpha 65 while maintaining a reasonable asking price. The camera sees a revised Object Tracking AF system and a new Auto Portrait Framing option, together with an ISO 100-16000 sensitivity span and even a 12fps burst option (at a reduced resolution).
Read our Sony Alpha a57 review
Sony Alpha a65
Price: £650/US$700/AU$1,000 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Over £300/$500 cheaper than the Sony Alpha 77, but with the same 24.3MP sensor, 2.4 million dot OLED viewfinder and 1080p video mode, the Sony Alpha 65 may be considered something of a bargain. It's also based on the same SLT design as its senior stablemate, with a semi-translucent mirror enabling full-time phase detection AF.
Read our Sony Alpha a65 review
Sony Alpha a77
Price: £830/US$1,100/AU$1,500 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
The flagship model in Sony's SLT series, the A77 combines many of the features found in the cheaper A65 but throws in a faster frame rate and a more sturdily built body into the mix. You also get an additional LCD screen on its top plate, as well as a second command dial and flash sync socket, together with faster flash sync and maximum shutter speeds. It also has the best electronic viewfinder (EVF) around.
Read our Sony Alpha 77 review
Sony Alpha a99
Price: £2,200/US$2,800/AU$2,800 (body only) Specs: Full-frame, 24.3MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 100-25600
The Sony Alpha a99 is the first full-frame interchangeable lens camera to have an electronic viewfinder (EVF). This is an OLED Tru-Finder with 2,359,000 dots, and it covers 100% of the image frame.
In addition there's a 3-inch 1,228,000-dot screen on an articulating hinge to make it easier to compose images from unusual angles.
Our tests reveal that the Sony a99 is capable of capturing lots of detail and that image noise is generally well controlled. There are also some very useful features such as the ability to control the AF range, and there's a healthy level of customisation available. However, the AF system is a little slower in some situations than the competition.
Read our Sony Alpha a99 review
Best Pentax, Olympus and Sigma DSLRs
Best Pentax DSLRs
What's the best Pentax DSLR? In this section we'll take a look at the best Pentax DSLRs that are either current models or still available for purchase. We've included the price, key specs and a short synopsis of each Pentax DSLR to give you a better idea of which camera is best for your needs.Pentax K-30
Price: £460/US$630/AU$650 (body only) Specs: APS-C format, 16.3MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 80-51,200
One of the most attractive selling points of the Pentax K-30 is that it has a high build quality and is sealed so it can take more exposure to inclement weather than competing cameras.
The K-30's AF system is pretty good, provided that you don't use the standard 18-55mm kit lens. The smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR lens is a much better performer in this respect, but this adds around £250($300) to the kit price.
Read our Pentax K-30 review
Pentax K-5
Price: £570/US$740 (around AU$855) (body only) Specs: 16.3MP, HD video: 1080p
Pentax's current flagship model brings together a 16.3MP CMOS sensor, 7fps burst shooting and Full HD video capture, while its magnesium-alloy body is weather sealed. Just as impressive is the 100% coverage of its pentaprism viewfinder, and its sensitivity span of ISO 80-51,200.
Read our Pentax K-5 review
Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 II price: £730/US$1,100/AU$1,100 (body only) Pentax K-5 IIs price: £860/US$1,200/AU$1,200 (body only) Specs (both): APS-C format, 16.3MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 100-12,800 (expandable to ISO 80-51,200)
Pentax has two K-5 II offerings, the K-5 II and the K-5 IIs, but the only difference between them is the anti-aliasing filter in the Pentax K-5 II. Despite being more expensive, the Pentax K-5 IIs has no anti-aliasing filter over the sensor, and this enables it to capture a little more detail but with heightened risk of moiré patterning.
Aside from a slightly improved LCD screen and an allegedly revamped sensor, the most notable difference between the Pentax K-5 II and the Pentax K-5 it replaces is its SAFOX X autofocus system. This offers a noticeable speed and accuracy boost over the original Pentax K-5, and focusing is swift even in quite dark environments.
Like the Pentax K-30, the Pentax K-5 II (s) is weather-sealed so it can be used with confidence in during inclement spells.
We found the image quality is high, but the K-5 II failed to impress with its resolution scores.
Read our Pentax K-5 II review
Best Olympus DSLRs
What's the best Olympus DSLR? In this section we'll take a look at the best Olympus DSLRs that are either current models or still available for purchase. We've included the price, key specs and a short synopsis of each Olympus DSLR to give you a better idea of which camera is best for your needs.Olympus E-5
Price: £1,270/US$1,700/AU$1,790 (body only) Specs: 12.3MP, HD video: 720p
The flagship Four Thirds DSLR, the Olympus E-5 upgrades the resolution and processor of its predecessor, while also squeezing in an articulated 3-inch LCD with a 920,000 dot resolution on the rear. An HD movie mode also makes an appearance, and the XD card slot has been dropped in favour of the more common SD standard (in addition to CompactFlash).
Read our Olympus E-5 review
Best Sigma DSLRs
Sigma has just a pair of DSLR cameras in its current range, the SD15 and the SD1 Merrill, so choosing the best Sigma DSLR isn't as difficult here as it is with some of the other manufacturers. Following a significant price drop, the latter is a much more tempting proposition, although the cheaper SD15 has potentially wider appeal to more users.Sigma SD15
Price: £585/US$930 (around AU$880) (body only) Specs: 14MP, HD video: none
Sigma's only mid-range DSLR offering, the SD15 incorporates a Foveon X3 sensor and a 3-inch LCD screen with a capable - though not particularly competitive - 460,000 dots. Other features of interest include a 77-segment metering sensor and a DDR II buffer said to be twice as large as that found in the previous SD14 model.
Read our Sigma SD15 review
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Price: £1,840/US$2,300 (around AU$2,760) (body only) Specs: 46MP, HD video: none
Recently rebranded and cut in price by around £4,000/$6,000 (!), the SD1 Merrill is Sigma's answer to both professional DSLRs and medium format systems. It sports a new 46MP sensor as well as a magnesium alloy body and an 11-point twin cross AF system. Other features of note include 3-inch LCD screen with a 460,000 dot resolution as well as pentaprism viewfinder.
Read our Sigma SD1 Merrill review
Best DSLR cameras under £500 or $700
Whether you're a beginner or simply looking for a back-up to your main DSLR, there are a lot of great DSLR cameras on the market for less than £500/$700 that offer a wide range of features and pretty solid results. In this section we'll help you choose which camera offers you the most, for less. Below are our top five best DSLR cameras under £500/$700.Canon 1100D/Canon EOS Rebel T3
Price: £300/US$400/AU$400 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 12.2MP, HD video: 720p
This is perhaps the cheapest current DSLR on the market, but it's still an excellent choice for those new to DSLR photography on a budget. Headline features include a wide 9-point AF system, respectable ISO span of ISO 100-6400 and HD movie recording, together with a graphic user interface designed specifically for the novice user.
Read our Canon EOS 1100D
review
Sony Alpha a37
Price: £300/US$500/AU$550 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 16.1MP, HD video:1080p
Sony has designed the Alpha 37's 16.1 million pixel sensor to work in harmony with the Bionz processor to produce better images than its predecessor, the Alpha 35. The 15-point AF system with three cross-type points also offers improved object tracking and Quick AF modes. Sony's Auto Portrait Framing system that automatically crops an image to improve composition post-capture sounds odd, but usually works well. The A37 delivers bright, punchy pictures with accurate colours, adding up to an enticing camera for novices and enthusiasts on a budget.
Read our Sony Alpha a37 review
Nikon D3100
Price: £330/US$450/AU$490 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 14.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Nikon's most junior DSLR rounds up Full HD movie recording, an 11-point AF system, 3-inch LCD and a respectable resolution of 14.2MP, and delivers it all for just over £400/$650, with an 18-55mm VR kit lens included.
Read our Nikon D3100 review
Nikon D5100
Price: £350/US$500/AU$510 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
The D5100 has a number of advantages over the D3100 beneath it, such as the 16.2MP sensor and the 921,000dot LCD screen, the latter of which can be pulled away from its body, as well as a marginally faster burst rate and wide sensitivity range. Currently it can be had for around £575/$850 with its 18-55mm kit lens, which makes it more than £200/$250 cheaper than the D90 above it.
Read our Nikon D5100 review
Canon 600D/Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Price: £430/US$530/AU$500 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
Although the EOS 600D still retails at just over the £600/$800 mark, a current cashback offer means that the body alone can still be had for an overall £500/$630 price. This makes it the best-specified camera in this group by some margin, although if you don't already have compatible lenses these will need to be bought separately.
Read our Canon EOS 600D review
Nikon D3200
Price: £440/US$600/AU$820 (with 18-55mm kit lens) Specs: 24.2MP, HD video:1080p
An entry-level camera with a pixel count of 24.2-million means that novices have plenty of scope for cropping images to improve composition post-capture. The Guide Mode is also superb for those wanting to learn more about photography and how to control their camera.
Read our Nikon D3200 review
Nikon D90
Price: £440/US$780/AU$750 (body only) Specs: 12.3MP, HD video: 720p
The first DSLR to have been equipped with HD video recording, Nikon's mid-range D90 proves itself to be an all-round capable performer with its high-resolution 3-inch LCD, 11-point AF system and 4.5fps burst rate. It's not the newest Nikon DSLR, but being bundled with an 18-105mm kit lens does give it a slight edge over the more typical 18-55mm kit packages.
Read our Nikon D90 review
Pentax K-30
Price: £460/US$630/AU$650 (body only) Specs: APS-C format, 16.3MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 80-51,200
One of the most attractive selling points of the Pentax K-30 is that it has a high build quality and is sealed so it can take more exposure to inclement weather than competing cameras.
The K-30's AF system is pretty good, provided that you don't use the standard 18-55mm kit lens. The smc DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR lens is a much better performer in this respect, but this adds around £250($300) to the kit price.
Read our Pentax K-30 review
Sony Alpha a57
Price: £500/US$500/AU$730 (body only) Specs: 16.1MP, HD video: 1080p
The Alpha 57 borrows heavily from the design of the enthusiast Alpha 65 while maintaining a reasonable asking price. The camera sees a revised Object Tracking AF system and a new Auto Portrait Framing option, together with an ISO 100-16000 sensitivity span and even a 12fps burst option (at a reduced resolution).
Read our Sony Alpha a57 review
Best DSLR cameras from £500-£1000 or $700-$1500
If you're willing to cross that £500/$700 threshold, you can get some truly special cameras these days. Many of the new Canon DSLRs and Nikon DSLRs released this year, for instance, boast features such as Full HD movie recording or articulated LCD screens that give photographers a whole new range of creative options and flexibility. To help you choose which camera is right for you, below are our top five best DSLR cameras in the £500-£1000 price bracket.Canon 650D/Canon Rebel 4Ti
Price: £530/US$650/AU$670 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
Canon's latest DSLR may be the first to have touchscreen control, but the manufacturer hasn't forgotten that many photographers like real buttons and dials, so all the usual controls are still present.
Some of the pixels on the 18 million pixel Hybrid CMOS sensor are used by a new phase detection autofocus (AF) system that works in combination with the usual Live View contrast detection AF system during video shooting or when images are composed on the screen instead of in the viewfinder. The aim is to make autofocus during Live View and Video shooting faster and more accurate.
Read our full Canon EOS 650D review
Pentax K-5
Price: £570/US$740 (around AU$855) (body only) Specs: 16.3MP, HD video: 1080p
The K-5 can be had for £570/US$740 (around AU$855) (body only), which is excellent value for money when you consider what it offers. Features include a 921,000 dot LCD, 7fps burst mode and a wide sensitivity range right up to an equivalent ISO 51,200 option.
Read our Pentax K-5 review
Sigma SD15
Price: £585/US$930 (around AU$880) (body only) Specs: 14MP, HD video: none
Sigma's only mid-range DSLR offering, the SD15 incorporates a Foveon X3 sensor and a 3-inch LCD screen with a capable - though not particularly competitive - 460,000 dots. Other features of interest include a 77-segment metering sensor and a DDR II buffer said to be twice as large as that found in the previous SD14 model.
Read our Sigma SD15 review
Canon 60D
Price: £630/US$900/AU$840 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
The sole double-digit EOS member may offer the same 18MP resolution as its cheaper siblings, but with a sturdy aluminium body, pentaprism viewfinder and 5.3fps burst mode it belongs in the hands of the enthusiast.
The Canon EOS 60D sweeps to victory to take our Best mid-range DSLR award.
Read our Canon EOS 60D review
Nikon D5200
Price £650/US$800/AU$920 Specs: APS-C, 24.2MP, ISO 100-6400 (expandable to ISO 100-25,600), vari-angle LCD, HD video: 1080p
The Nikon D5200 is a blend of the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D7000 with a new 24.2 million-effective pixel sensor. Apart from the addition of a drive mode button on its top-plate and very minor changes to the size, the Nikon D5200 looks very similar to the Nikon D5100. Inside, however, it has the same metering and AF systems as the Nikon D7000 above it in the Nikon DSLR lineup.
Like the Nikon D5100, the Nikon D5200 has a 3-inch 921,000-dot articulating LCD screen that enables you to compose images from a range of angles. Disappointingly this screen is not touch-sensitive.
While the Nikon D5200 has a simple control layout and a clear user interface that gives relatively quick access to the most important features, enthusiast photographers may wish for a few extra direct controls.
Our tests reveal that the Nikon D5200 generally produces high quality images, but the shadow areas of some images taken at ISO 3200 and above may suffer from slight banding, which limits the size at which they can be used.
Read our Nikon D5200 review
Sony Alpha a65
Price: £650/US$700/AU$1,000 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Arguably the best value Sony Alpha model currently available, the A65 is replete with technology straight from the more expensive A77 model, and is available for as little as £700/$800 with a kit lens – perfect for those planning to upgrade from previous Alpha models. It includes a 24.3MP sensor, together with a 10fps burst rate and a maximum sensitivity option equivalent to ISO 25,600, in addition to the 2.4million dot OLED viewfinder that has already been widely praised for its clarity.
Read our Sony Alpha a65 review
Nikon D7000
Price: £650/US$900/AU$1,200 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Slotting between the D90 and D300s, Nikon's D7000 offers a compelling mix of mid-range specifications including a 39-point AF system, 6fps burst mode and Full HD video recording. You also get a high resolution of 16.2MP and an equally impressive maximum sensitivity of ISO 25,600.
Read our Nikon D7000 review
Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 II price: £730/US$1,100/AU$1,100 (body only) Pentax K-5 IIs price: £860/US$1,200/AU$1,200 (body only) Specs (both): APS-C format, 16.3MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 100-12,800 (expandable to ISO 80-51,200)
Pentax has two K-5 II offerings, the K-5 II and the K-5 IIs, but the only difference between them is the anti-aliasing filter in the Pentax K-5 II. Despite being more expensive, the Pentax K-5 IIs has no anti-aliasing filter over the sensor, and this enables it to capture a little more detail but with heightened risk of moiré patterning.
Aside from a slightly improved LCD screen and an allegedly revamped sensor, the most notable difference between the Pentax K-5 II and the Pentax K-5 it replaces is its SAFOX X autofocus system. This offers a noticeable speed and accuracy boost over the original Pentax K-5, and focusing is swift even in quite dark environments.
Like the Pentax K-30, the Pentax K-5 II (s) is weather-sealed so it can be used with confidence in during inclement spells.
We found the image quality is high, but the K-5 II failed to impress with its resolution scores.
Read our Pentax K-5 II review
Sony Alpha a77
Price: £830/US$1,100/AU$1,500 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Sony's best-specified APS-C model, the A77 is a considerable upgrade over previous generation Alpha models. The high resolution of its 24.3MP sensor is matched with an equally impressive 2.4million dot OLED electronic viewfinder, while a 12fps burst mode, Full HD video and an articulating LCD screen make it suitable for all kinds of stills and movie recording.
Read our Sony Alpha 77 review
Best DSLR cameras over £1000 or $1200
If you're serious about your photography and are willing to spend a bit more money, there are some truly exceptional digital SLR cameras to choose from. Improved AF systems, faster burst rates and higher sensitivities are just some of the features you can get from the top digital cameras in this price bracket. To help you choose the best camera for your needs, below are our five best DSLR cameras priced more than £1,000/$1,200.Canon EOS 7D
Price: £1,070/US$1,440/AU$1,250 (body only) Specs: 18MP, HD video: 1080p
The full-frame EOS 5D Mark II may still be preferable where video recording is concerned, but the cheaper EOS 7D brings a more complete focusing system, faster burst rate, wireless flash control and a number of additional improvements to the table, at an even better price.
Read our Canon EOS 7D review
Nikon D300s
Price: £1,120/US$1,700/AU$1,850 (body only) Specs: 12.3MP, HD video: 720p
The winning formula of the D300 with the added extra of video functionality, the D300s is a solidly crafted mid-range DSLR. While its focusing system and higher frame rate place it above the cheaper D7000, its resolution and video quality both fall a little short by comparison - for these reasons, an upgrade is believed to be just around the corner.
Read our Nikon D300s review
Canon 6D
Price: £1,600/US$1,900/AU$2,300 (body only) Specs: 20.2MP, HD video: 1080p
Although it has a full-frame sensor like the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the Canon EOS 6D has a much smaller body and a simpler control layout, making it more appealing to enthusiast rather than professional photographers. In many ways it's like a full-frame Canon EOS 60D.
The 20.1MP Canon 6D has the honour of being the first DSLR to feature Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS technology built-in. The Wi-Fi system is particularly useful because it enables the camera to be controlled remotely (with a decent selection of settings, including exposure, being adjustable) by an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.
It's a great camera that's capable of producing superb images in a range of situations, but some may be disappointed by its 97% viewfinder coverage (rather than 100%) and lack of a built-in flash.
Read our Canon EOS 6D review
Olympus E-5
Price: £1,270/US$1,700/AU$1,790 (body only) Specs: 12.3MP, HD video: 720p
The flagship Four Thirds DSLR, the Olympus E-5 upgrades the resolution and processor of its predecessor, while also squeezing in an articulated 3-inch LCD with a 920,000 dot resolution on the rear. An HD movie mode also makes an appearance, and the XD card slot has been dropped in favour of the more common SD standard (in addition to CompactFlash).
Read our Olympus E-5 review
Sigma SD1 Merrill
Price: £1,840/US$2,300 (around AU$2,760) (body only) Specs: 46MP, HD video: none
Recently rebranded and cut in price by around £4,000/$6,000 (!), the SD1 Merrill is Sigma's answer to both professional DSLRs and medium format systems. It sports a new 46MP sensor as well as a magnesium alloy body and an 11-point twin cross AF system. Other features of note include 3-inch LCD screen with a 460,000 dot resolution as well as pentaprism viewfinder.
Read our Sigma SD1 Merrill review
Nikon D800 and D800E
Nikon D800 price: £1,930/US$2,800/AU$3,390 (body only) Nikon D800E price: £2,360/US$3,100/AU$3,670 (body only) Specs: 36.3MP, HD video: 1080p
The D800 is another sterling addition to Nikon's DSLR stable. The inclusion of a 36.3MP full-frame sensor inside a relatively compact body makes it ideal for those looking to travel light, while the strong video specifications make it more of a match for Canon's EOS 5D Mark II and III models.
It, and the D800E, rules the roost with regards to detail resolution and it produces images with a very impressive dynamic range - especially considering the pixel count.
Read our Nikon D800 review
Sony Alpha a99
Price: £2,200/US$2,800/AU$2,800 (body only) Specs: Full-frame, 24.3MP, HD video: 1080p, ISO 100-25600
The Sony Alpha a99 is the first full-frame interchangeable lens camera to have an electronic viewfinder (EVF). This is an OLED Tru-Finder with 2,359,000 dots, and it covers 100% of the image frame.
In addition there's a 3-inch 1,228,000-dot screen on an articulating hinge to make it easier to compose images from unusual angles.
Our tests reveal that the Sony a99 is capable of capturing lots of detail and that image noise is generally well controlled. There are also some very useful features such as the ability to control the AF range, and there's a healthy level of customisation available. However, the AF system is a little slower in some situations than the competition.
Read our Sony Alpha a99 review
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Price: £2,340/US$3,150/AU$3,600 (body only) Specs: 22.3MP, HD video: 1080p
Its pixel count may only be 1.2MP higher than the 5D Mark II's, but that's still 4.2MP more than the 18.1MP Canon EOS-1DX at the top of Canon's DSLR lineup. In addition many of the core features have been upgraded on the previous incarnation.
For a start the processor is a DIGIC V unit, which is faster than the DIGIC IV in the 5D Mark II, and this enables better, more complex noise reduction calculations to be applied as well as a faster maximum shooting rate of 6fps. There's also a much more refined, customisable AF system and a wider ISO span (ISO 100-25600, expandable to ISO 50-102400).
Read our Canon 5D Mark III review
Nikon D4
Price: £4,250/US$6,000/AU$6,700 (body only) Specs: 16.2MP, HD video: 1080p
The 16.2MP Nikon D4 is a fabulous camera, but £5,290/$6,000 (body only) it's only every going to be bought to professional and well-healed enthusiast photographers.
It's 91,000 pixel metering sensor is reliable and the maximum continuous shooting speed of 10fps with full exposure and focusing control at full-resolution makes it a great choice for sports photography. It's also the only camera so far to support the latest XQD media format.
Read our Nikon D4 review
Canon 1D X
Price: £4,850/US$6,730/AU$7,300 (body only) Specs: 18.1MP, HD video: 1080p
Canon's amalgamation of its 1D and 1Ds models, the 1D X aims to cater for a variety of professional users. Although its resolution is a step down from the 21.1MP of the previous 1Ds Mark III, its 12fps burst mode – expandable to 14fps in the Super High Speed Shooting mode – as well as a 61-point AF system and maximum extended ISO setting of ISO 204,800 set a new standard for the pro market.
Read our Canon EOS-1D X review
Nikon D3x
Price: £5,000/US$6,700 (around AU$7,500) (body only) Specs: 24.5MP, HD video: none
Externally similar to the D3s, but with a higher resolution sensor on the inside to justify the premium price. Developed with studio and landscape work more in mind, you also don't get quite as high a frame rate nor as wide a sensitivity range as the D3s, and there's also no video recording. Where resolution is concerned, the D800 poses a significant threat to the D3x, offering a 36.3MP full-frame sensor for half the price.
Read our Nikon D3x
review
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Interview: Phil Libin
The business version of Evernote software lets you share notebooks with other users in your company. It's most useful when there's something in a shared notebook that might be worthwhile for a project you're working on. That should happen without you ever needing to remember to search, says Evernote's CEO Phil Libin.
"I want to know that someone on my team has expertise about a particular subject when I'm interested in that subject," he says. "I shouldn't have to go around asking if anyone knows about it. The content needs to support an outcome right now because there's far too much information to deal with effectively otherwise."
Libin isn't a fan of traditional approaches to this problem. He dislikes the term 'knowledge management', and says that many tools fail because they are in not integrated into the way people work. He cites the example of the company trying to set up a wiki that failed because people updated it sporadically, soon making it patchy and out of date.
Evernote is designed to overcome this by combining a company resource with a place where people organise their own information, but the real trick is making it easy to find useful information from other people. Libin says that having to carry out a search is not the answer as it interrupts the thought process.
He discovered that, counter-intuitively, it's more useful to present information when someone is taking notes rather than when they're reading about things, because they are expanding mental energy to create something. This makes them more receptive to anything that can save them work.
"The goal for this is to be so magical you don't notice anything special is going on," he says. "It just feels like you're entitled to this information. We want the experience of Evernote to feel like it's completing your thoughts."
Doing that means starting not with the indexing or search or data analysis that makes it work, but with the experience of how the user will see the information.
"We don't even think about how we're going to implement it; we just design the experience and say this experience would be really magical and then can we can see what's feasible to implement. Sometimes it's actually really, really, really simple."
In the Evernote mobile software, if you start a new note, it checks your calendar to see if you have a meeting scheduled. If you do, it uses it as the title of the note, and if not it uses your current location.
Libin says that users love the feature, and that it wasn't hard to build.
"There's no data science in there. If we had started by trying to figure out mathematically clever things that we could do, we would never come up with 'Look at the calendar'," he explains.
The same is true of a feature in the latest version of Evernote Food, which autocompletes the captions on pictures of food in restaurants.
"People ask if we're doing image analysis or machine learning or passing it on to humans via Amazon's Mechanical Turk, and how can it be so fast… We just pulled the menu of a restaurant and we're autocompleting from that. "
Is that disappointingly simple? "The complexity of the implementation has absolutely nothing to do with how it's perceived - and the value," Libin points out.
"Many development cultures fetishise complexity, especially engineering driven cultures. That's the wrong approach. There are other that fetishise simplicity as its own goal and that's the wrong approach too.
"I think the right approach is start with designing the experience. Once you've designed the experience, sometimes the implementation will be extremely complex, sometimes it will be extremely simple, one is not better than the other.
"It's challenging but once you get into it, in hindsight it's just so obviously the right way to do it. And it's a lot more fun; you get to make cooler things."
If you've been using software for long enough, this kind of contextual information might make you think of Clippy the Office Assistant, asking if you want help writing a letter. Libin is ambivalent about the comparison.
"The whole industry was set back so much by things like Clippy, just because they got the character design so wrong. They were trying to do the right thing but they did it too soon and they did it clunky and it became mock-worthy and for 20 years it was just ridiculing Clippy. We are actually trying to do something that's a good a version of what they were trying to go for. But it needed another 20 years of development to make this happen."
The goal for what he calls augmented rather than artificial intelligence is to be "at least as smart as your dog" when it comes to dealing with you.
"Your dog knows things about you. There are certain mental states your dog is really good at picking up on.
"A computer should at least anticipate what you want, when you're happy or unhappy with something or you're frustrated. It should have a level of intuition around how you're feeling when you're using something. That's incredibly difficult - but it's fun to work on."
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Android scores BBC Sports app
It's a little over a month after the iOS version, but the BBC's dedicated Sports app has today made it onto Google Play.
The free mobile app has been designed to play nicely with screen sizes all the way up to 7-inch tablets, meaning you 10-inch owners may not get the best experience.
It'll work with all versions of Android from 2.2 (Froyo) onwards. If you're still languishing on Eclair then it may be time to consider upgrading.
Old sport
Like the iOS app before it, the Android app brings sporting news, live scores, commentary and analysis as well as live and on-demand video because, let's face it, seeing sport happen is much more exciting than just reading about it. The video and audio features may require you to download the BBC's Media Player app too, depending on your handset. Keith Mitchell, BBC Sport's mobile technical lead, let slip that a couple of additional features are coming soon to the app: "These include customisable quick links for the main navigation, team customisation and home screen widgets." So if you thought it was all over… you were wrong. Out now on Google Play, the BBC Sport Android app will also be heading to Amazon's app marketplace in the near future.
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