Digital Cameras

When most of us want to steady a camera for a long exposure or telephoto shot, we look for something that will accept the camera’s weight, such as a tripod or a handy flat horizontal surface. The pocket-sized SteadePod, however, uses what could almost be considered the opposite approach – it requires the user to pull up on the camera, the upward tension serving to stabilize their shot. Read More

With the launch of the Steady Stand 200, Modahaus has brought its range of tabletop photo studios dangerously close to impulse buy territory. Though compatible with most compact cameras and smartphones, this is a product aimed squarely at iPhone owners, joining a growing number of products capitalizing on the improved photographic credentials of recent iPhone models. But what is it? Essentially it's a stand that allows you take product photos on a plain background from above, lending snaps a convincing studio veneer - judging by the sample images, at least. Read More

What with the huge sensitivity range of modern digital cameras, and the strong likelihood of finding a built-in flash on most models, it might be a logical assumption that the days of producing separate flash units are numbered. In the right hands though, a powerful flash can add something very special to a subject or scene - even when there's already ample background lighting. Nikon camera owners can now look forward to a new flagship Speedlight flash unit arriving just in time to help light up festive office parties - the Nikon Speedlight SB-910. Read More

I have to admit to occasionally doing something that’s perhaps a little dorky. If I’m listening to particularly moody music, I’ll sometimes close one eye, then simulate a tracking shot or a crane shot from a movie, by slowly moving my head past the items on my desk. Yeah, I look pretty dumb doing it, but the continuous change in perspective created by such a simple move really has a way of making even the most mundane scenes look ... poetic? Profound? Good videographers realize how powerful such shots can be, which is why some of them put their DSLRs or prosumer-level camcorders on camera sliding mechanisms like the Glidetrack. Now, users of smartphone cameras and pocket camcorders can get in on the smooth-tracking action, with Glidetrack’s compact new mobislyder. Read More

A new member will shortly take its place alongside the X10 retro compact and the FinePix X100 in Fujifilm's premium X Series cameras. The X-S1 bridges the gap between compact point-and-shoot cameras and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) models - featuring a relatively large sensor, 26x superzoom lens, built-in flash and the ability to record full high definition movies. Read More

Back in the days before digital cameras and printers, many do-it-yourselfers liked to develop and print their own photos. While those days of darkrooms, chemicals and papers haven't completely given over to CMOS sensors and printers just yet, nuts and bolts photographers still have to work a bit harder to get their hands dirty, so to speak. Now, camera gadget site Photojojo offers one way to stay "retro," by offering a very affordable build-it-yourself twin lens camera kit that shoots honest to gosh 35mm film. Best of all, even though it looks like a toy, its plastic lens actually captures fairly decent (read "lo-fi dreamy") photos. The small amount of vignetting and lens flare is thrown in for free! Read More

There are numerous retro iPhone cases on the market, and most of them have no useful features except for helping you to stand out from the crowd. Holga, however, has introduced an iPhone case that not only adds some vintage flair to your smartphone, but also allows for photographic experimentation with nine built-in special effects filters. Read More

Ricoh has revealed a much-improved new member of its CX Series compact superzooms. The CX6 has faster autofocus, has had new exposure control options added to the mode dial, includes a new brighter LCD screen and there's a first time outing for a dedicated movie record button. The new point-and-shoot also receives enhanced functionality for shooting movies, new telephoto assist technology, and additional creative shooting options. Read More

As smartphones with built-in HD video cameras become increasingly commonplace, the stand-alone pocket camcorder looks like it could be on its way to obsolescence. That’s certainly what Cisco Systems seemed to think, at least, when it recently stopped production of the market-leading Flip camcorder. One company that apparently doesn’t share this viewpoint, however, is Philips – today, the electronics manufacturer announced its new ESee pocket video camera. While there’s certainly some overlap with many camera phones, the camcorder sports several features that might keep it from ending up in the bargain bin anytime soon. Read More