Sunday

Creative's $200 Vado HD pocket camcorder ready for pre-order

Creative's $200 Vado HD pocket camcorder ready for pre-order



We've seen these Amazon 'leaks' time and again. So while the December 7th date for the Vado HD might be an educated guess, the details including that $200 price tag certainly look real enough. The display still measures 2-inches, but the beefier 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3-inch solid state camcorder now brings 8GB of storage for up to 2 hours of 720p MPEG-4 recordings -- 8 hours at VGA quality. It also ships with an HDMI cable for instant playback to your like-equipped television. Otherwise, slot the cam into your PC's (XP and Vista, only) USB port to instantly share your works to YouTube and others with the help of the cam's built-in Vado Central Software. With this, the Kodak Zi6, and Flip Mino HD, there certainly won't be any shortage of pocket HD cameras of suspect-tweener quality to choose from this holiday season.



(Via Engadget.)

Monday

Yashica DV588 Entry Level HD Camera

Yashica DV588 Entry Level HD Camera

Yashica DV588 Entry Level HD Camera


Now you can purchase the HD camera with only €200. Yashica has unveiled its new entry level HD camera in the form of the Yashica DV588. This compact HD Camera can record video in AVC 720p (Mpeg-4 AVC/H.264) and offers 5MP CMOS sensor, and a 32MB of internal memory (Expandable via SD/SDHC cards up to 8GB). That’s right! Only 32MB of storage space, so you will be able to record amazingly poor video that you will never share to your friend or family.

(Via The Digital Camera Blog.)

Nikon D400 Rumors Surface

Nikon D400 Rumors Surface

Nikon D400 Rumors Surface


It is said that soon NIKON D400 will be available between December and early 2009. It is rumored that it has 16 megapixel CMOS sensor from Sony, and High Definition video recording. I can’t wait to see this product to be launched. so stay tuned for more info.

(Via The Digital Camera Blog.)

Fujifilm's 3D camera gets the hands-on treatment

Fujifilm's 3D camera gets the hands-on treatmentFujifilm's 3D camera gets the prototype hands-on treatmentIt's been a few months since Fujifilm showed off a prototype 3D shooter at the Photokina show in Cologne, and CNET Asia has now managed to spend a little time with the chunky bronze and gunmetal box. Unlike other tech we've seen that does 3D in one shot, this one sports a pair of lenses and sensors to capture light in stereo, while on the back a 2.8-inch LCD alternates between the two images at 60 fps to give an apparently convincing 3D effect. Better, though, should be the 8.4-inch 3D photo frame under development, and Fuji's Frontier photo labs are also being upgraded to produce lenticular prints (the sort you can tilt left and right to see different things) that are said be 'really good.' The camera itself is scheduled to drop around September of 2009, but since even looking at the results of your work is going to be a bit of a challenge at first we're not entirely sure how popular the thing will be. Regardless, we're glad someone is paving the way.

(Via Engadget.)

Casio's EX-FH20 reviewed: perfect for YouTube slow-mo junkies, nobody else

Casio's EX-FH20 reviewed: perfect for YouTube slow-mo junkies, nobody else

Casio's EX-FH20 reviewed: perfect for YouTube slow-mo junkies, nobody else

The key to any good pseudo-educational show featuring demonstrations that typically result in explosions (i.e. Mythbusters) is super-duper slow-mo sequences that expand those fleeting instants of incredibly expensive pyrotechnical glory into multiple minutes of time wasted between commercial breaks. If you're looking to record your own similar antics, amateur-style, Casio's time-stretching shooter the EX-FH20 is for you, delivering decent image quality and a bevy of burst and slow-mo modes that will capture 7 megapixel stills at 40 fps and 1000 fps video at 224 x 56. However, if that sounds rather gimmicky to you, according to PhotographyBLOG's full review there's really nothing noteworthy about the machine which, at $600, is out-paced and under-cut by other, similar SLR-lite options like Canon's PowerShot SX10. 'Nuff said.

(Via Engadget.)

Saturday

Official RED Scarlet and EPIC pics are sure to induce drool [Updated with OMG]

Official RED Scarlet and EPIC pics are sure to induce drool [Updated with OMG]



While the announcement isn't scheduled for another 7 hours and change, RED's Jim Jannard is whipping his fanbase into a frenzy with a steady stream of fragmented pictures. The one above looking every bit the 5D Mark II-killer we've been expecting. Jim's even dropping facts about Scarlet and EPIC being 'completely modular and upgradeable in every way.' What's more, he's offering hope to RED ONE owners who might feel cheated by today's introduction of Scarlet and EPIC. After all, he did promise to make 'Obsolescence Obsolete' with his modular approach to camera building. So in addition to a TBD upgrade price for RED ONE owners to make the jump to a Mysterium-X sensor, owners will also have the option of trading in their cams for a $17,500 value towards the purchase of 'any EPIC' (there's more than one?) or keep the RED ONE and receive a 12% credit on a Scarlet system. Nice... expensive, but nice. Check the gallery for all the images including one that looks like a telephoto lens for a RED DSLR.

P.S. Jim confirmed that, 'Scarlet and RED EPIC are part of the same DSMC system.' While you may not know what DSMC stands for, we're pretty sure that Canon and Nikon are well aware that DSMC means Digital Still & Motion Camera.

Update: Three-pound Scarlet and four-pound EPIC Mysterium-based 'brains' capable of shooting 3K and 5K video, respectively, pictured after the break -- choose the brain then build a system around it. What look to be final (and complete!) product shots added to the gallery.

Continue reading Official RED Scarlet and EPIC pics are sure to induce drool [Updated with OMG]



(Via Engadget.)

Sigma acquires Feveon, maker of the X3 image sensor

Sigma acquires Feveon, maker of the X3 image sensor



Foveon (developer of the X3 image sensor for digital cameras) has just announced that they have been acquired by Sigma, the Tokyo-based camera and lens company. According to the press release, Foveon -- whose image sensors are already being used in Sigma's entire digital camera line -- will remain in San Jose, continuing to 'evolve and improve the X3 sensor technology.' Congratulations, you crazy kids! And best of luck to you. We mean it.



(Via Engadget.)

Flip Mino HD launches along with editing software

Flip Mino HD launches along with editing software


Pure Digital has launched a new HD version of its compact digital video camera. The Flip Mino HD shoots 720p high-definition video and saves it to the cameras built-in 4GB flash drive allowing it to save around an hour of MPEG-4 video.


The new version of the camera also has FlipShare, a new in-camera video editing program allowing users to perform basic edits on their video and prepare them to be exported to video sharing sites like YouTube.  The Flip Mino HD is available now from some in-store retailers as well as online for around $230.

(Via GearCrave | The Buyers Guide for Men.)

Tuesday

Target gift card for the holidays multitasks as adorable digital camera

Target gift card for the holidays multitasks as adorable digital camera



Okay, we don't know who came up with this idea, but we have to give them some credit for innovation, not to mention (in our opinion) some pretty attractive design sense. Yes, Target's new gift card gimmick this holiday season is that it doubles as a cute, disposable digital camera. The little device runs on two AAA batteries, has a self-timer, and is packaged with a USB cord, driver disc, instruction manual and a voucher for 40 free prints from Target. The camera itself is a 1.2-megapixel affair with 8MB of memory on-board, which means it can store about 50 images. Now, we know this just a ploy to get us to buy Target gift cards, but we're kind of smitten with this little thing.

(Via Engadget.)

Saturday

Canon Powershot E1 reviewed: a little style, not so much substance

Canon Powershot E1 reviewed: a little style, not so much substance



The Canon PowerShot E1 -- an entry-level 10 megapixel digital camera we saw a while back -- variously described as being aimed at 'women' and 'on-the-go, fashion-conscious teens perfect for capturing every OMG moment' has gotten itself a review over at Photography Blog, and well, it's not exactly anything to 'OMG' about. This addition to the PowerShot clan gets a few points for its retro stylings, but the build makes it feel even more like a cheap toy than other plastic models. As for image quality, the E1 predictably packs too many pixels for its sensor, resulting in photos with good resolution, but noise and smearing in anything with fine details. It does, however, get better then expected marks on video quality. Essentially, the PowerShot E1 is called out for being a pricier, updated design of the PowerShot A580, with improved macro and video modes, plus the addition of infinity focus. While the reviewer seems wary of recommending the camera to any adult, they are willing to concede that the it 'could still make a good first camera for a child.' Wow, burn. It's available now in white, cyan and girlish pink (from the press release, sorry), and retails for about $183.

(Via Engadget.)

Wednesday

Canon announces XH A1S and XH G1S prosumer HD camcorders

Canon announces XH A1S and XH G1S prosumer HD camcorders



Just in case the XL H1S and XL H1A weren't really your style, Canon's hoping to snag a fair chunk of your short-term savings with a new duo of prosumer HD camcorders. The HDV XH A1S and XH G1S both feature a 20x HD video lens, manual zoom / focus, three independent manual adjustment rings, an 'unprecedented' range of image / color settings, 60i / 30F / 24F frame rate options, Instant AF focusing system, the DIGIC DV II proprietary digital signal processor, two built-in XLR terminals with separate audio-input sensitivity settings, line output level switching and support for optional HDD recording in the field. The XH G1S adds in HD-SDI / SD-SDI output, SMPTE timecode input / output, and genlock input, which are all features that probably won't be missed by greenies baffled by the mere mention of those inclusions. Get set for showtime next month as the pair sells for $3,999 and $6,999, respectively.


(Via Engadget.)

Olympus E-30 Digital SLR Announcement

Olympus E-30 Digital SLR Announcement

The New Olympus E-30 - The Creator Digital SLR


In September, at Photokina, Olympus announced they had a new Four Thirds digital SLR in the works. The new 12.3-megapixel Olympus E-30 is designed to fall between the E-520 and the flagship E-3. It shares many of the high-end features of the E-3 in a smaller, lighter body, less expensive body. Olympus calls the target E-30 buyer the ‘Creator.’ It’s aimed at artists, designers, illustrators, art students, and other creative types and includes brand new technology that gives creative photographers new tools for ‘superior expressivity.’

Olympus E-30 Digital SLR



Some of the key trickle down technology the E-30 inherits from the E-3 are the 11-point auto focus system, 5 frames-per-second capture rate, 1/250th second flash sync, and tilt/swivel LCD display. It also has the latest 3-mode sensor-level image stabilization from the E-520. The body doesn’t have the durability or splashproofing of the E-3. But it’s closer in size to the E-3 and actually uses the same HLD-4 battery grip. The 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD is actually slightly larger than the E-3’s 2.5-inch display. The camera uses a new ‘+’ version of the True Pic III processer and also includes a brand new leveling feature which detects both pitch and roll to help photographers keep horizons level and minimize distortion.

Olympus E-30 Level Gauge

What sets the Olympus E-30 apart from other E-System DSLRs, and what Olympus hopes will attract new buyers, are the new creative tools they’re introducing with the camera. Live View Multi Exposure, Art Filters, and Multi Aspect Shooting are all brand new features developed by Olympus for the E-30. Live View Multi Exposure allows you to combine up to four exposures in Live View. This can be done with RAW or JPEG files and composition, transparency, and brightness can all be adjusted in-camera. No post-processing is necessary.

Olympus E-30 Multi Exposure

There are 6 Art Filters - Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light, Grainy Film, Light Tone, and Pin Hole. Many digital cameras include filters or other in-camera effects that can be applied to photos after they’ve been taken. The Olympus Art Filters are different and much more sophisticated. An indicator of how they’re different is that Olympus has included them on the mode dial, under ART/SCN. If you set the mode dial to ART/SCN, you can choose between traditional scene modes or the Art Filters. Unlike standard in-camera effects, the Art Filters are actually applied during the exposure - not applied to the images after they’ve been taken. The ‘+’ in the True Pic III+ processor is the new Olympus ‘Art Engine.’ The Art Engine applies what Olympus calls ‘active control’ during image capture. This combines image analysis, exposure controls, image processing, and the Art Filter settings for a unified, balanced effect, instead of the standard in-camera filter post-processing.

Olympus E-30 mode dial

Olympus E-30 Art Filters

The Olympus E-30’s Multi Aspect options offer 9 different formats, including the standard 4:3, 3:2 (35mm), 16x9, 4x5, and 6x6. Combined with and image mask on the Live View LCD, photographers can compose and shoot in their preferred format. When the optical viewfinder is being used, the aspect information is recorded in the EXIF data so it can be used for cropping later.


A new 14-54mm lens is also being announced. Like all Olympus Four Thirds lenses, the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II is designed to match the Four Thirds sensors in Olympus DSLRs. That means sharper images, less vignetting, minimal flare, and better overall image quality. The new 14-54mm lens is designed for better live view auto focus with the E-30 and has a splash-proof and dust-proof design. The angle-of-view is equivalent to a 28-208mm lens in the 35mm format and it can focus as close as 3 inches.


Olympus has a knack for developing and embracing new technology. They boldly abandoned the 35mm SLR platform and helped spearhead the Four Thirds System - a dedicated digital format. They also developed both Live View and the sensor cleaning technologies that are standard in digital SLRs now. Whether the creative tools in the E-30 take off or not remains to be seen. But Live View doubters (like myself - I love Live View for studio photography) have had to admit they were wrong, and the Four Thirds format hasn’t gone away. Designing features for and marketing to creative types who are less interested in the number of pixels and speed of a camera may be a good move. Of course, the E-30 includes much of the best technology from Olympus’s best camera, the E-3. For current Four Thirds owners looking to upgrade, the E-30 looks like a very good move - especially for studio or portrait photographers who don’t need the build quality of the E-3. If you own an E-510 or E-520 and want better features and performance, the E-30 absolutely delivers. For first-time DSLR buyers, the E-30’s articulated LCD, fast 11-point auto focus, 5 frames-per-second shooting speed, and in-camera image stabilization add up to a serious competitor.

Olympus E-30 - Swivel LCD

Olympus E-30 Digital SLR

Olympus E-30 - Rear

Olympus E-30 - Top


Olympus E-30 Press Release



(Via Photography Review Blog.)

Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds Lumix DMC-G1 reviewed: only knock is the price

Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds Lumix DMC-G1 reviewed: only knock is the price



The question has been on your mind since we first got wind of this so-called 'Micro Four Thirds' concept back in August: how will it stack up? Now that Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G1 is filtering out to the world, we're able to kick back and digest a mammoth review of this here camera thanks to the fine folks at Digital Camera Resource. Without going into dissertation-level detail in this space, we'll tell you that the biggest issue critics had with the G1 was its price. Not the image quality. Not the size. Just the price. In other words, Panny has delivered a superb camera that offers up 'very good quality photos, an unmatched live view shooting experience and a nice collection of both automatic and manual controls.' Deemed the first to 'truly offer a point-and-shoot experience on an interchangeable lens camera,' the DMC-G1 looks to be a real winner if you've got $800 to blow.

(Via Engadget.)