Pentax Announces Two New 14 Megapixel Point-and-Shoots
September 9, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still, Digital Video
Pentax has announced two new 14 megapixel cameras will be added to its compact digital line, the RS1000 and RZ10.
Match the Camera to Your Personality
The RS1000 allows users to choose from any of the eleven interchangeable faceplate skins that ship with the camera, or design their own on the Pentax website. The RZ10 will be available in four body colors: black, white, lime and violet.
Both are 14 megapixel cameras that can shoot 720p video at 30 frames per second. The RS1000 has 4X optical zoom, while the RZ10 digital compact camera offers 10X optical zoom; both have mechanical sensor-shift and digital shake reduction features. The RZ10 also has an auto mode which will determine the most appropriate shooting settings in most situations.
Price and Availability
The RS1000 and RZ10 will ship in October 2010. Retail price for the RS1000 is $149.95, while the RZ10 will sell for $219.95.
Pentax RS1000
Pentax RS1000
Pentax RS1000
Pentax RZ10
Pentax RZ10
Pentax RS1000
Nikon Rolls Out Additions to CoolPix Line
September 9, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still
Nikon recently announced the addition of several models to their CoolPix point and shoot line.
CoolPix S8100
CoolPix S8100, a stylish 10X zoom model with improved image quality in photos taken in dark surroundings and excellent performance with nighttime and dimly lit indoor shooting that often results in blurred photos.
By adopting a backside illumination CMOS image sensor for the new COOLPIX S8100, significant improvements in image quality. The camera offers a Night Portrait mode with new technologies that take advantage of the CMOS image sensor’s high-speed capability by exposing the portrait subject and background separately and immediately combining the exposures. The S8100’s effective pixel count is 12.1 million pixels. With a new image-processing engine, EXPEED C2, and a 10X optical zoom lens covering a broad range of focal lengths beginning at the wide-angle 30mm (equivalent with 35mm [135] format), the camera is capable of capture high-resolution photos. The COOLPIX S8100 is a compact camera packed full of a variety of capabilities and functions, including high-speed continuous shooting, recording of 1080p HD movies with stereo sound, and the Creative Slider function.
CoolPix S80
The S80 is equipped with a widescreen 3.5-inch electrostatic OLED touch panel with a wide viewing angle. Compared to the Approximately 288k-dot monitor built into its predecessor, the COOLPIX S70, the S80 monitor offers resolution increased to approximately 819k-dots. Performance has also been greatly increased for more natural operation with a more vivid monitor display and faster response to touch panel operations. In addition, the S80 is equipped with a variety of Nikon technologies, including a monitor with an incorporated touch mechanism, which is an on-cell touch panel, and a thin right-angled optics zoom lens, which help to make the 16.5-mm slim camera more compact and portable. The S80 is designed to be a stylish compact digital camera with an extremely functional design.
CoolPix P7000
The CoolPix P7000 is a classic compact digital camera offering advancements in image quality, shooting functions and operation over its predecessor, the COOLPIX P6000.
The P7000 offers an effective pixel count of 10.1 million pixels. It is equipped with a 7.1X optical zoom NIKKOR lens that covers a broad range of focal lengths beginning at the wide-angle 28mm (equivalent with 35mm [135] format), and makes the most of the large 1/1.7-inch, RGB CCD image sensor and optical characteristics. In addition, adoption of the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED C2, enables capture of high-resolution images with rich tonal expression. The P7000 is also equipped with a number of new functions, including Zoom Memory and Tone Level Information display, which provide greater control over shooting and resulting images. With a number of high-sensitivity shooting functions to choose from depending upon shooting conditions, high-speed response and controls that support intuitive operation, the CoolPixP7000 is designed to be the optimal tool for nature photography as well as wide variety of other scenes.
New K-r, Pentax’s New Entry Level DSLR
September 9, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still
Pentax today upgraded its budget DSLR. The K-r directly takes on some of the issues with the earlier K-x and focuses on image performance first: it now shoots at up to ISO 25,600 (up from 12,800) and at up to 6FPS for 25 shots in continuous mode (up from 4.7). Plus the shutter speed has climbed to 1/6000th of a second.
Improvements from past models include long an addition of a focus point indicator in the viewfinder. You also now have the option of using either a lithium-ion battery pack or AA batteries to power the camera. The preview LCD is better with a three-inch, 921,000-pixel image. Pentax also obeys the IrSimple standard and will transfer its photos to any device that supports the infrared link, including another K-r.
The K-r will come in black, red and white for the October launch. A body-only version will cost $800, while a version with an 18-55mm kit lens will cost $850. Two kits add secondary telephoto lenses, starting with a $900 set that adds a 50-200mm lens and a $1,000 set that goes for a longer-reaching 55-300mm lens.
Sanyo Introduces the Xacti VPC-GH4 Camcorder
September 9, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Video
Sany has introduced a new model in the Xacti video camera line, the VPC-GH4. The VPC-GH4 has a traditional minicam body and Sanyo’s double-range zoom feature, which provides one button switching between wide-angle and telephoto. It shotts full 1080 60i HD video with maximum optical zoom of 10x for video, and has a high-speed mode.
The VPC-GH4 also takes 10 megapixel digital photos, with up to 5x optical zoom. It has built-in support for popular social networks, and when connected to a PC can upload videos and photos to social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Picasa, and generate links for use on Twitter.
The camera uses a 2.7-inch LCD screen and offers digital image stabilization. The VPC-GH4 has both face detection and “target a color” modes to help stay in focus. A dual-range zoom feature provides one-touch switching between wide-angle and telephoto modes.
The camera supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (up to 64GB) and is also compatible with wireless Eye-Fi memory cards. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-GH4 will be available in late September and retail for $199.
Eye-Fi Celebrates 5th Anniversary with New Developer Program
September 7, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still
Today Eye-Fi celebrates its fifth anniversary by introducing a new Developer Program to expand its digital connectivity platform. Eye-Fi has enhanced the photo and video sharing experience by narrowing the gaps and hurdles that lie between photo taking and memory making, creating an ecosystem of seven camera partners and 45 online services that enrich those personal memories.
Now, Eye-Fi introduces the Developer Program in response to the growing interest from application developers, granting them access to web services that can further enrich the Eye-Fi experience by:
- Extending the platforms with which Eye-Fi’d content can be viewed and shared, allowing users to view photos and videos sent to an Eye-Fi account from any website or application.
- Narrowing the gap between photo software and the plethora of online sharing and memory making platforms by granting access to send photos and videos to Eye-Fi’s ecosystem of 45 sharing sites.
- Enhancing the photo management experience by facilitating customization of the Eye-Fi card settings panel.
Sony Intros New Digital Photo Frames
September 6, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still
Sony has announced three new S-Frame digital photo frames (models DPF-XR100, DPF-VR100 and DPF-D830) that are designed to let consumers keep their favorite memories close with innovative, high-quality features, including video playback and battery operated capabilities. The DPF-XR100 and DPF-VR100 models offer AVCHD video playback capabilities, allowing consumers to view detailed, realistic video with vivid colors and contrast directly on the units’ high-resolution WSVGA LED backlight LCD screen. The DPF-D830 model is Sony’s first battery operated digital photo frame, allowing for portability in the home.
The high-end XR100 and VR100 offer AVCHD video playback via media card, allowing you to conveniently enjoy your favorite HD videos without a television. The 10.2-inch diagonal high-resolution WSVGA LED backlight LCD screen provides detailed video and life-like images with vibrant colors. An advanced image processor inside the frames scales and displays content up to 256 megapixels, making these frames capable of handling footage taken with even the most advanced digital cameras or HD camcorders.
The frames also feature stereo audio, a convenient alarm mode and Sweep Panorama playback.Sony’s exclusive TruBlack technology improves how your content looks on the S-Frame XR100 by reducing reflection and enhancing contrast to ensure more natural tones. The D830 is Sony’s first digital photo frame to offer operation via a built-in rechargeable battery (up to 100 minutes, based on photos only), so the frame can become portable and easy to show off anywhere in the house when you have family or friends over. Featuring a high-resolution SVGA LED backlight LCD display, photos locked away on your computer will now come to life on the photo frame’s 8-inch diagonal screen.
With 2GB of internal memory, each of these three frames can store thousands of images. The models offer auto-resizing that downsizes photos so you can store them within the device and return your memory card back to your camera. Additionally, they’re equipped with three preloaded music tracks, but allow users to copy their own MP3 files to the internal memory.
Sony has also included eight additional S-Frame models (models DPF-A710, DPF-D710, DPF-D810, DPF-D75, DPF-D820, DPF-D1010, DPF-D95, and DPF-D1020) to its line of digital photo frames, offering a range of options for consumers on any budget. The frames vary by screen size and internal memory, and range in price from about $70 to $150. Models including DPF-D820, DPF-D830 and DPF-D1020 are also compatible with Motion JPEG (AVI and MOV) files.
All the frames offer features such as slide show variations, an auto orientation sensor to detect if your frame has been placed horizontally or vertically, clock and calendar views, and index modes so you can preview several photos at once. You can also conserve energy by using the auto power on/off setting to program when you want the frame to turn on in the morning and off at night. Functions of the digital photo frame can be managed using the included remote controller.
Digital images can be loaded onto the internal memory of the digital photo frames from several types of media cards, including Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD and SDHC Memory Card, and MMC. Photos can also be transferred to the frames from a computer via a USB cable (optional). All models support JPEG and RAW (thumbnail preview) image file formats.
Pricing and Availability
The S-Frame DPF-XR100, DPF-VR100 and DPF-D830 digital photo frames will be available in November for about $250, $200 and $150, respectively, direct at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores around the country, and through the Sony Retailer Network nationwide. Pricing and availability for the additional models are as follows:
DPF-A710 - available in October for about $70
DPF-D710 - available in October for about $80
DPF-D810 - available in October for about $100
DPF-D75 - available now for about $100
DPF-D820 - available in October for about $120
DPF-D1010 - available in October for about $130
DPF-D95 - available now for about $140
DPF-D1020 - available in October for about $150
Samsung Announces HMX-T10 HD Camcorder
September 2, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Video
Olympus Releases New MFT Lenses and Black E-P2 Kits
August 31, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still, Digital Video
Olympus did not wait for Photokina today by revealing a new version of the E-P2. The Special Black EVF and Flash Editions includes either a black viewfinder or flash add-on. In both cases, they come with a unique black 17mm f2.8 pancake lens with the “F” logo from Olympus’ 1963 Pen F camera.
The two cameras are unchanged from the 12-megapixel, 720p-capable original and should ship in October at prices of 1,079 euros ($1,365) for the EVF model and 1,049 ($1,327) for the Flash version. North American releases hasn’t been given stated.
Accompanying the cameras are two Micro Four Thirds telephoto lenses to extend the reach of both Olympus’ cameras and any others using the mount system. A 40-150mm f4-5.6 lens is considered ideal for video as it covers typical distances while supplying a quick autofocus. Unlike the special E-P2s, the lens is intended for the US and will hit stores in November for $300, Europeans get it a month earlier for 329 euros.
The second lens, a 75-300m f4.8-6.7 lens, is a rare long-range telephoto for the format and also has fast autofocus. Black and silver versions will be available. It arrives in December for both Europe and the US and will cost 899 euros or $900
Canon EOS 60D has 1080P Video and Swivel Screen
August 25, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still, Digital Video
Kodak Gallery Releases New Holiday Products
August 24, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Digital Imaging, Digital Still
Kodak Gallery has announced the launch of new products and designs for back-to-school, end-of-summer and Grandparents Day.
For back-to-school, Kodak Gallery is offering new products to help students create a home away from home. Photo items such as school year calendars, personalized mousepads, creative collages, pen and pencil holders and fun photo magnets can decorate lockers, apartments or dorm rooms.
“We’re providing users with an easy transition from summer to fall with our unique photo gifts, cards and prints,” says Rachel Heit, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Kodak Gallery. “With new save-the-date cards and magnets, a calendar collage, and 30 new frames and contact cards, Kodak Gallery helps users create, upload and share summer memories that will last for years.”
With Kodak Gallery, you can upload and preserve photos of your summer vacation, precious family moments or quality time with friends. You can create Photo Books, photo cards or display special shots in archival frames, and slip into that vacation frame of mind anytime — at home, school or in the office.
Grandparents Day — September 12
Kodak recommends that you honor Grandparents Day with the perfect gift –a luxurious woven throw blanket featuring a high quality picture of their grandchild, grandchildren and family. The generous 50″ x 60″ sizing makes this throw perfect to display and use on a couch, bed or chair — or to keep grandma and grandpa warm during the winter months. Grandparents Day specialty photo gifts from Kodak Gallery include sterling silver jewelry, leather key chains, puzzles and playing cards.
Creating and uploading these photo gifts are a breeze, and with convenient access to Kodak Gallery products and services from any desktop and most mobile devices, users can create, share and upload in no time. You can enhance photos using Kodak Perfect Touch Technology and can assure exceptional Kodak quality in every order. New items are available now on the Kodak Gallery website. Check periodically for more products, added features, and special promotions throughout the late summer/early fall season.