Digital Cameras and Camcorders::News, Reviews, Opinions, Rumors about the Photography Industry

Saturday

GigaPan Epic 100 hands-on and review, panorama style

You're already well aware of what GigaPan's wild camera robot is capable of when its in masterly hands, but have you ever wondered if such a device is practical for folks who don't have excellent seats for events such as Presidential inaugurations or the Arirang Mass Games? We've been toying around with an Epic 100 for the past week and change, and now that we've had a moment to upload a few of our own panoramas, we figured we'd toss our two pennies into the ring. Eager to know if this gigapixel image creator is really worth its avoirdupois in cold, hard cash? Head on past the break to find out.

Gallery: GigaPen Epic 100 hands-on

Continue reading GigaPan Epic 100 hands-on and review, panorama style

(Via Engadget.)

Samsung SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 Released in Korea

Samsung SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 Released in Korea: "

Samsung SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 Released in Korea

Korean giant Samsung has rolled out two new ergonomically designed compact digital camcorders in South Korea. Known as the SMX-C14 and SMX-C10, both camcorders feature Samsung’s Crystal Design that makes a hint of color is naturally blended into the deep black body for an attractive crystalline appearance. FYI, this technology was first introduced in the company’s line of flat panel HDTVs. [AVING]

Olympus E-450 compact DSLR gets reviewed: entry-level through and through

Momma always said you couldn't have your cake and eat it to, and we suppose it's just about time we stop resisting and just believed. Olympus' decidedly compact E-450 was recently reviewed over at PhotographyBLOG, and while image quality was satisfactory for a camera of its stature, it was indubitably missing a few key ingredients. Most notably, the inexplicable lack of image stabilization and the inability to handle video were lamented, and the rudimentary 3-point AutoFocus was called 'frankly obsolete for a 2009 model.' Indeed, critics pointed out that the E-620 would likely be a far superior choice for those who didn't mind the additional weight and cost, but even if the E-450 was at the top of your budget, we didn't really get the impression that it was a surefire winner. Check the read link for the full spill.

(Via Engadget.)

Friday

Blue and Red Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 in Japan

The blue and red Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 is now available in the Japanese market. In case you didn’t know, this camera is the world’s first digital camera that records motion image in AVCHD Lite. The AVCHD Lite realizes long time recording of high-definition motion image. The 12.7MP camera also features a high-quality Leica DC Vario Elmar 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens with a 12x optical zoom, ISO 6400, and the Venus Engine IV image processor.
[ViaAkihabara]

Canon's PowerShot D10 adventure cam shot with a bazooka in this in-depth review

The gang at Photography Blog have got their hands all over the PowerShot D10, and it looks like Canon didn't fare too badly with its first 'adventure camera.' Even if the reviewer didn't really drop it from a helicopter or shoot it with a bazooka (as we had originally hoped) the unit was found to be as intuitive, sensible, and dependable as the company's other point-and-shooters. Of course, a device with this robust of a design is going to suffer in a few areas, and the 3x, 35-135mm zoom lens and 2.5-inch display can easily be considered 'rather hum-drum' for a camera in this day and age. That said, the lens is 'quite fast,' great for underwater use, and the display is bright enough for all of your spelunking needs. The verdict? If you're going to be dropping from airplanes or scavenging sunken treasure (actually, make that 'reading on the beach' and 'taking the kids snorkeling') this summer, you could do worse than shell out $329.99 for this bad boy. Hit the read link for the usual exhaustive review.

(Via Engadget.)

Casio EX-FS10 reviewed, slides 1000 fps capture into the back pocket of your mom jeans

Casio's really blown out the feature list on the EX-FS10, and now PhotographyBLOG has taken the compact fashioncam through its paces. Sadly, like many modern compacts, straight up image quality is a bit scarce here, with obvious noise at ISO 200 and up, no optical image stabilization, and not even the silly 12 megapixel extravagance of its counterparts to blame it on -- the EX-FS10 shoots 9 megapixel stills. The HD and slow-motion video recording is also severely hampered by a lack of zoom during shooting, bad sound, and the oversized AVI format. Still, the camera is incredibly well built, very slim, and it can pull off some really wild feats -- 720p might be growing increasingly common, but 1000 fps slow motion, burst mode for stills and pre-record shutter lag adjustment make the FS10 quite unique in its category. It's obviously a tradeoff, but at least there's some good news: while the camera was supposedly slated to retail at around $450, it's hovering pretty close to $300 at the moment.

(Via Engadget.)

Nikon S630 unboxing and hands-on: pretty in pink edition

What's that, another compact digital camera unboxing? Yes, dear readers, we've got a mega-megapixel story cooking for you, and another ingredient has arrived. This time it's Nikon's Coolpix S630, a 12 megapixel, 7x optical zoom compact that features optical stabilization and a particularly vibrant hue. So far we're impressed by the camera's shape, lightness, and build quality, but this one has plenty more testing ahead of it before we make any solid conclusions. Until then, enjoy a few shots of its unveiling.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S630 unboxing