Cameras and Imaging
Never forget where you were with the JOBO photoGPS
By Jeff Salton
01:55 September 9, 2009 PDT

What’s worse than having to watch Aunt May’s and Uncle Stan’s ridiculously long digital ‘slide show’ of their recent European vacation? Listening to them argue over where each photo was taken, and what it is. If they’d had a JOBO photoGPS attached to their camera's hot-shoe, your saga would be over in six hours, not 16! The JOBO photoGPS fits most cameras and captures the geo-data of each photo's location. This allows photographers to know the location of each shot and automatically search, sort and organize their pictures according to country, city, street using the Organizer software that comes with the unit. Read More
Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 flexes a bit more muscle
By Alan Brandon
22:58 September 7, 2009 PDT

Whether you’re a snow-sports adrenaline junkie, inveterate beach goer, or just like gear that can take a few bumps, Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 may be the camera for you. Shockproof, waterproof, and even freezepoof to -10°C (14°F), the µ TOUGH-6010 combines compact style with a rugged chassis and an arsenal of shooting features including dual-image stabilization, advanced face detection, and i-Auto scene selection mode. Read More
Canon’s new EOS 7D DSLR and the first Hybrid Image Stabilization lens
By Gizmag Team
07:21 September 5, 2009 PDT

Canon’s new EOS 7D will be released later this month with a USD$1700 tag. Key features include eight FPS continuous shooting, 18-Megapixel Resolution and full HD video with variable frame rates and manual exposure control. Three new lenses were also announced, being the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and an interesting EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM featuring Canon's new Hybrid Image Stabilization (Hybrid IS) technology, which compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake, and is designed especially for macro photography. Read More
Frankencamera: Digital cameras get the open source treatment
By Darren Quick
02:15 September 4, 2009 PDT

Open-source started with the Netscape Navigator browser and has expanded to include operating systems for PCs (Linux) and mobile phones (Android). Now photo scientists at Stanford University are out to bring the advantages of open-source development to digital photography with the creation of an open-source digital camera giving programmers around the world the chance to create software that will teach cameras new tricks. Read More
The Samsung HZ25W 12.5MP camera with 24x Mega-Zoom
By Paul Lester
19:32 September 3, 2009 PDT

Recent developments in the digital camera market have given amateur photographers that require a decent optical zoom some reasonably priced point-and-shoot alternatives. Following announcements earlier this year by Kodak and Olympus, Samsung has released its own model - the HZ25W, a 12.5MP, 24x optical zoom camera that sports the most powerful lens ever offered on a Samsung compact digital model. Read More
Sony DPF-D72N/BQ photo frame features Swarovski crystal bling
By Karen Sprey
08:41 September 3, 2009 PDT

Sony's new limited edition digital photo frame ticks the boxes for looks and functionality. The DPF-D72N/BQ features an elegant and understated black frame with Crystallized Swarovski Elements and stores up to 2,000 images courtesy of 1GB internal storage. It also has a nifty auto-resizing feature. Other functions include clock and calendar modes, and an Auto Orientation sensor that automatically rotates your photos into portrait or landscape format according to the placement of the frame. Read More
Sony adds new Alpha DSLRs
By Alan Brandon
21:55 August 31, 2009 PDT

Sony has announced two new cameras in its Alpha range of consumer-oriented DSLRs. The DSLR-A550 and the DSLR-A500 feature two live-view focus modes, in-camera high dynamic range (HDR) capability, and low-light performance with sensitivity of up to 12800 ISO. The new Alphas also feature tilting 3in (7.6cm) LCDs as well as a new in-camera SteadyShot feature. Read More
Camera cube puts you on the level
By Alan Brandon
23:12 August 17, 2009 PDT

In photography, sometimes you want to shoot from the hip and capture the moment as it happens. Other times you want everything in perfect alignment, with straight verticals and flat horizons. This camera cube level can help you keep your shots, well, level. Read More
Samsung DualView cameras put the photographer in the picture
By Darren Quick
03:43 August 14, 2009 PDT

Seems one LCD display per camera is not enough for Samsung, which has just unveiled two compact digital cameras that feature dual LCD screens – one on the back and one on the front. The extra displays found on the TL225 and TL220 are designed to make turning the camera on yourself a bit more reliable than the "hold at arm’s length and hope" method usually employed when taking self-portraits and profile picture shots. And for those after a digital camera that boasts unprecedented connectivity, Samsung has also unveiled the CL65 with geo-tagging, Bluetooth 2.0, DLNA, and Wi-Fi capabilities. Read More
AstroScope gives your DSLR night vision
By Alan Brandon
22:23 August 13, 2009 PDT

The AstroScope, from night vision manufacturer Electrophysics, is a modular adapter that adds night-vision capability to DSLR cameras and camcorders. Designed for use by the military, law enforcement, news agencies, and well-heeled enthusiasts, the AstroScope night vision adapter fits between the camera body and the lens to capture high-resolution images at night and in low-light situations that are otherwise too dark for standard digital cameras. Read More
Monsterpod helps you out of sticky photo opportunities
By Alan Brandon
21:56 August 11, 2009 PDT

The elastic Monsterpod is a sticky solution for sticky photo situations. This versatile compact camera mount holds your camera when a tripod is unavailable or inappropriate and it can also steady your shot in low light conditions or for long exposures. Read More
Sony Party-shot snaps pictures while you party
By Alan Brandon
20:15 August 10, 2009 PDT

You’re throwing a big party, and you want it be a night to remember. You’ve invited some cool friends, stocked up on good beer, and have the stereo cranked up to 11. Only one thing could make this shindig any better – a robot photographer! Well fear not, Sony’s got your back with the new Party-shot robotic camera dock that automatically pans, tilts, and takes snapshots while you go for the cheese dip. Read More
Invisible Flash sheds new light on photography in the dark
By Paul Ridden
06:17 August 6, 2009 PDT

As technology becomes available to help those wishing to avoid the annoying flash photography of the paparazzi get some payback, researchers Dilip Krishnan and Rob Fergus from New York University have developed a system for taking dazzle-free photos in poor lighting conditions which could result in celebs not even knowing they're being photographed. Named dark light flash photography by its creators, the system uses light waves beyond our visible range and special software and algorithms to produce photos comparable in quality to a long exposure shot. Read More
Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D camera shoots stills and movies – no glasses required
By Alan Brandon
22:55 August 5, 2009 PDT

After a year of rumors and prototypes, Fujifilm has officially announced its 3D camera, the FinePix Real 3D W1. The W1 takes digital three-dimensional photos and videos, and you can view them without goofy colored glasses. Fujifilm also announced its Real 3D V1 digital picture viewer, and a 3D photo-printing service. Read More
Nikon CoolPix S1000pj camera packs a built-in projector
By Darren Quick
05:57 August 5, 2009 PDT

In what seems like an obvious merging of technologies now that it’s happened, Nikon has announced the world’s first compact digital camera to feature a built-in projector. The COOLPIX S1000pj is a 12.1 megapixel camera that could see an end to people elbowing each other out of the way to get a glimpse of themselves in the latest happy snap on a camera’s small LCD display. Read More
Leica's 37.5 megapixel S2 professional DSLR camera due in October
By Paul Ridden
06:25 August 3, 2009 PDT

It was first seen in September 2008 at the Photokina trade show in Cologne, Germany. Now manufacturer Leica has announced that its compact top end professional S2 DSLR camera system will be available from October. The S2 sports an impressive 37.5 megapixel (MP) pixel count, has a 30 by 45mm sensor, a super fast Maestro image processor, an OLED top panel information display and a newly developed precision autofocus. There's a whole bunch of new lenses too. But before you rush to pre-order, you'd better sit down, take a deep breath and prepare yourself because the recommended retail price is a whopping UK£15,996 for the camera body alone (with a US price set at US$22,995). Read More
Kodak ups the ante in the pocket video wars with the Zi8 1080p HD cam
By Alan Brandon
20:01 August 1, 2009 PDT

Kodak is trying to out-flip the Flip with its latest pocket digital video cam, the Zi8. Aimed squarely at the heart of the hot compact video market, the Zi8 outdoes the Flip Ultra HD with 1080p recording, electronic image stabilization, an SDHC card slot, and an external mic jack. Plus it'll shoot 5-megapixel stills, track faces, and is designed to perform better in low-light conditions. Read More
Logitech backs Vid software release with seven new webcams
By Mick Webb
19:03 August 1, 2009 PDT

Logitech recently launched its own simplified take on video chat software called Logitech Vid - and now there's a raft of new hardware to bundle it with. The company has announced a new series of – count ‘em – seven webcams, ranging from your standard fare to the flagship Pro 9000 model featuring Carl Zeiss optics and 16x9 widescreen video at 720p. Read More
Olympus Stylus-7010 has a little chassis and bigger features
By Alan Brandon
20:01 July 27, 2009 PDT

Olympus has announced the newest addition to its fashion-oriented ultracompact digital camera line: the Stylus-7010. The new 1-inch thick model featuring 12MP resolution and a 7x wide-angle/long-zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-196mm zoom) plus some tuned-up shooting modes and "Magic Filters" for in-camera editing. Read More
Canon announces new Hybrid Image Stablization technology
By Jeff Salton
01:41 July 23, 2009 PDT

Canon has developed optical image stabilization technology that compensates for angle camera shake and shift camera shake. The Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS) technology will be incorporated in interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009. The company says this is the first lens of its kind to incorporate technology that addresses both types of camera shake. Read More
Portable stereo recorder meets handycam
By Jeff Salton
20:46 July 22, 2009 PDT

A portable camcorder that records MPEG-4 SP video format at 30 frames per second - in stereo - has been released by Zoom. The Q3 Handy Video Recorder combines 640 x 480 resolution video recording with studio quality audio through two built-in condenser microphones. Read More
Samsung hopes you’ll flip for its new HMX-U10 ultra compact HD camcorder
By Alan Brandon
02:30 July 21, 2009 PDT

Samsung has announced its entry into the ultra-compact HD camcorder market with the HMX-U10. The diminutive 2.2" x 4.1" x 0.6" unit shoots 1920x1080 video, 10MP still photos and features an ergonomic bend in the body which Samsung says will reduce stress on your wrist and arm... but at only 3.4oz, we wonder how much stress the MHZ-U10 can cause? Read More
Holographic laser projection technology to transform any surface into a touch screen
By Darren Quick
01:02 July 21, 2009 PDT

Light Blue Optics (LBO) has received an injection of funds to further its development of, among other things, a holographic laser projection technology. The big news is that this technology can be touch-enabled, meaning any flat surface, such as a table, can be instantly transformed into a touch-sensitive display, eliminating the need for a touch screen and allowing users to directly interact with multimedia content. Read More
iBum chair automatically photocopies your butt
By Loz Blain
04:25 July 16, 2009 PDT

Since the invention and proliferation of the photocopier, office clowns around the world have been united in a single desire - particularly around Christmas party time. Ignoring the jagged, buttock-splitting hazard of broken glass and the virtual certainty of dismissal should they be discovered, thousands of pranksters annually drop their strides or hike their skirts and enjoy the age-old ritual of photocopying their bums for their innocent co-workers to find in the out tray. Now, a Japanese designer has facilitated the process by designing a chair that automatically scans and prints a photo of your backside. Call me a traditionalist, but if it's not naughty, a bit dangerous and a blatant abuse of equipment, I can't see why you'd bother photocopying your bum at all. In fact, to me, the iBum chair seems to remove all fun from the act whatsoever. Read More
New technique reduces processing power needed for facial recognition
By Darren Quick
18:08 July 14, 2009 PDT

The human brain has an amazing capacity for recognizing patterns, particularly faces. While we are able to differentiate different faces with apparent ease, computer facial recognition systems have a much harder time of it, relying on powerful computers and complex models to accurately identify the majority of differences between faces. This has held facial recognition systems back from being widely adopted, but now researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) have developed a technique that significantly reduces the amount of computer power required without compromising accuracy. Read More













matthew.rings
- November 9, 2009 @ 01:28 UTC













