Subscribe to Gizmag's RSS feed
Follow Gizmag on Twitter
Cameras and Imaging
Tessera showcases intelligent face-tracking technologies for phone cameras
22:19 March 3, 2009 PST
The camera on your mobile phone might be about to see the next major upgrade to its software and image processing capabilities. Tessera Technologies has demonstrated several intelligent scene analysis technologies aimed at simplifying the process of taking quality pictures from your mobile phone. FotoNation is designed to improve image quality of the camera on the software side, while still keeping mobile picture taking fast and easy. Read More
The Pentax X70 joins the Compact Megazoom class of 2009
By Mike Hanlon
14:28 March 3, 2009 PST
Joining the megazoom compact class of 2009, already featuring the 26x Olympus SP590, 24x Nikon CoolPix P90, 24x Kodak Z980 and newly announced 20x Sony Cyber-shot HX1 is the 24x Pentax X70. Now they all have small bodies, optical zooms that run from wide angle to super-telephoto (26mm to 624mm equivalent in this case) and more than enough pixels (12 MPX in this case), the technology is being shoehorned in (high-speed burst mode that captures 11 images per second, face recognition and more) to enable camera klutzes to produce near pro quality at the ridiculously reasonable cost of USD400. It ships next month. Read More
Acer K10 Pico-Projector with LED technology
By Mike Hanlon
23:35 March 2, 2009 PST
Acer today showed its new K10 pico-projector, the first Acer projector to use LED lamp technology. Weighing a fraction over half a kilogram (0.55 kg / 1.21 lbs.) and measuring just 127x122 mm, the K10 pico-projector is one of the smallest and lightest projectors on the market today, making it the ideal companion for mobile users. While all Acer projectors are based on DLP, a technology that offers enhanced contrast, sharpness and image vividness, the new K10 pico-projector combines DLP technology with LED lamp technology, taking picture quality to a new level. Read More
GigaPan: 1500 megapixel landscapes with any camera
23:03 February 27, 2009 PST
The folks over at GigaPan Systems, a collaboration between Google, Carnegie Mellon University and the NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group, have finally released to the public a new and very special toy. The GigaPan Epic mount is a robotic tripod for a standard digital camera that has the ability to create large panoramas and pictures with many magnitudes more detail than the average camera could take on its own. It works by positioning the camera automatically and taking potentially hundreds of photos. Specially designed software will then stitch the pictures together to create a seamless panorama which can be navigated and zoomed in on in the style of Google Earth, which has itself been upgraded to incorporate uploaded panorama’s into a layer that can be viewed in the mapping software. Read More
Samsung launches AMOLED screened compact digital camera
By Matt Kennedy
23:46 February 25, 2009 PST
Samsung Electronics seem to be busy beavers of late, with new products landing on the shelves all over the place. The latest releases, just in time for PMA09, are the TL320 and HZ15W, the former featuring a hi-tech, hi-res three-inch AMOLED screen and the latter, a class beating 10x optical zoom. Read More
Olympus announces lightweight E-620 Digital SLR Camera
04:21 February 25, 2009 PST
Olympus has extended its digital SLR range with the unveiling of the E-620. The new addition will sit in the middle of the company's SLR line-up led by the flagship E-3 and extending through to the compact E-420. The E-620 is pitched as an "all-in-one" model that combines some of the best elements of the higher end units - like the flip-out rotating screen - with a high-degree of portability. Read More
Thermoteknix VisIR 640 Thermal Imaging System
By Matt Kennedy
18:34 February 23, 2009 PST
I'm pretty sure I'm not the target market for high-end thermal imaging cameras like the VisIR 640 from Thermoteknix, but I want one anyway. I want it in the same way that I desperately wanted the X-ray specs advertised on the back of my Iron Man comics when I was 12. In this case, the object of my boyish compulsion features a 640 x 480 infrared sensor, integrated voice recorder, 1.3megapixel color camera, plus an innovative swiveling lens design which provides greater shooting flexibility, and like many examples of ex-military tech, it opens up a huge range of potential applications on civvy street. Read More
Digital Foci Photo Book: a portable, digital photo album
By Karen Sprey
20:04 February 19, 2009 PST
Digital Foci has released the Photo Book, a portable digital photo album in a leather-like case that lets you show off your photos and videos in a more elegant and versatile way compared with using a fiddly device like a mobile phone. The Photo Book has an 8-inch 800 x 600 LCD screen, 4GB internal memory, 2.5 hours of battery life and supports RAW format. Read More
New JVC ProHD Camcorder records to SDHC media
By Mike Hanlon
17:37 February 11, 2009 PST
Times are changing fast in the video industry! JVC's latest shoulder-supported pro camcorder, the GY-HM700, is the first to store files on inexpensive SDHC memory cards. Developed for mainstream production, electronic newsgathering and cinematography, the GY-HM700 records in the QuickTime (.MOV) format, the native format for Apple's Final Cut Pro™ editing system. This eliminates the time-consuming transfer step and dramatically speeds up post-production workflow. SDHC media is also the first practical solid state solution to physical archive and thanks to ever-decreasing prices, the per-minute cost of SDHC memory is now comparable to video tape. Read More
Nikon boosts COOLPIX digital camera line-up
03:25 February 3, 2009 PST
In an announcement that seems hot on the heels of Nikon's last major COOLPIX update (though five months is a long time in the digital era), the company has released details of eight new cameras due to hit shelves soon. The four Style Series, one Performance Series and three Life Series cameras all share NIKKOR lenses and EXPEED™ digital image processing along with new features such as Blink proofing, "Enhanced Face-priority Auto Focus", which can detect up to 12 faces-per-image, and an automatic scene selection function. Read More
Tough new compact among Panasonic's 2009 camcorder offerings
21:04 January 26, 2009 PST
Designed to keep up when your weekend exploits get a little rough, Panasonic's new SDR-SW21 compact camcorder is dustproof, waterproof up to 6.5 feet (in both fresh and salt water) and shockproof enough to sustain a 4-foot drop. Due for release in April at a price of around the USD$400 mark, the SDR-SW21 records to SD/SDHC Memory Cards and includes a 0.6 second quick-start recording feature. Read More
Scuba Camera Mask shoots 720P HD video
23:41 January 22, 2009 PST
Liquid Image has seriously upgraded its range of camera scuba masks with the introduction of its HD Scuba Series. The mask gives divers a simple to operate, hands-free tool for taking 720P (1280 x 720) video at 30 frames per second (with audio) as well as 5 MP (2560 x 1920) stills. Read More
Meade EXT-LS telescope knows where to begin
19:01 January 18, 2009 PST
Telescopes that use computerized navigation to help stargazers find their way around the heavens have been with us for some time, but there's still a problem for the amateur astronomer - knowing where to start. The new Meade EXT-LS telescope makes this task of finding a starting reference point easy by combining a range of technologies including a built in CCD camera, magnetic sensors and GPS to automatically align itself, making it a truly "point-and-shoot" telescope. Read More
Google Earth presents artworks from the Museo del Prado in ultra-high resolution
By Loz Blain
07:45 January 15, 2009 PST
Google has become by default the gatekeeper of global information for this generation, and the company frequently takes great pains to demonstrate how seriously it takes this responsibility. In the latest of a series of moves to catalogue and present the vast amount of human knowledge and achievement it doesn't already index, Google has harnessed some wonderful technology to present some of Europe's greatest artworks in 14 thousand-megapixel resolution. Using Google Earth, you can now browse through some of the finest works in Madrid's Prado museum in detail so fine that you can see every crack in the paint and almost smell the canvas. Read More
Polaroid releases digital descendant of the instant camera
10:43 January 10, 2009 PST
Polaroid announced the new Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera at CES 2009 this week, integrating a 5 megapixel camera with their existing ZINK (zero-ink) portable printer to create a virtual descendant to their SX-70 and OneStep instant cameras of old. Read More
Casio brings high speed video to a compact format
By Kate Seamer
23:33 January 9, 2009 PST
Casio impressed everyone last year by displaying their high speed technology in the EX-F1 and EX-FH20 prosumer digital cameras. The high speed technology enabled functions like high burst shooting and high speed video, allowing users to capture images and video faster than the eye can see - providing an ultra slow motion effect. Now, at CES 2009, Casio has announced that it has squished these functions into a compact camera with its new EXILIM models, the EX-FS10 and the EX-FC100. By bringing the art of high speed photography into a convenient pocket sized form, Casio has once again brought digital camera standards to a new level. Both cameras are capable of up to a 30 shot-per-second burst rate (at 6.0 megapixel resolution) and high-speed movies at a maximum of 1000 fps. Regular images can be captured at 9.1 megapixels. Read More
PhotoCapture 360 Series automates in-house 3-D photography
By Mike Hanlon
23:26 January 8, 2009 PST
One of the most significant new products at CES this week is Ortery Technologies’ PhotoCapture 360 series of PC-controlled photography turntable systems. Ecommerce captures a greater share of the world’s commercial activity every year – as we buy more of our needs on line, we will want to verify quality and detail in ever greater granularity via the web and this system enables an internet merchant to provide detailed 360 degree images of their wares at minimal ongoing cost. Three turntables are available at under US$2000 for photographic subjects up to 25 pounds, through to US$8000 plus for photo models up to 700 pounds. The system runs on a Windows PC or Intel Mac and connects to a quality digital camera and an industrial strength turntable. The PhotoCapture 360 software synchronizes turntable movement, camera settings and picture taking to automatically capture up to 200 pictures per rotation then turn it into a 360-degree flash animation r animated gif. Check out this girl, this remarkable double animation, and these other examples as an idea of what’s possible. The PhotoCapture system is of enormous relevance to millions of internet retailers for increasing online conversion rates, plus professional communicators of all hues. Read More
Vizit - touch screen digital photo frame uses mobile network
By Mike Hanlon
21:33 January 8, 2009 PST
January 9, 2009 Vizit is a two-way communication, fully interactive digital photo frame that enables users to send and receive digital photos over the mobile network . Announced today at CES, Vizit’s biggest strength is that a digital image can be sent directly to the frame and show up immediately – it might be a way for people to share travel experiences with friends, or family moments with loved ones – picture mail, if you like. Vizit leverages the mobile network to securely receive photos from one’s cell phone, e-mail, computer or other Internet photo management sites. Users can also send pictures from one Vizit to another Vizit, or even multiple Vizits, enabling them to build a community of friends and family who are sharing their lives from geographically disparate locations. Read More
Olympus announces 26X zoom SP-590 digital camera
By Mike Hanlon
19:35 January 8, 2009 PST
January 8, 2009 Olympus raised the bar for point-and-shoot digital cameras today with the launch of the new 26x optical zoom SP-590 Ultra Zoom. That’s the biggest zoom yet, and the equivalent of a zoom lens with 26-676mm focal length. The versatility offered by the zoom lens is extreme, it can capture images from macro to almost any distance. The SP-590 produces 12-megapixel images, has Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Ultra High-Speed Sequential shooting and a 2.7-inch LCD. Available in March with an Estimated Street Price of US$450. Read More
Kodak's innovative 24X zoom Z980 Digital Camera
By Mike Hanlon
19:04 January 8, 2009 PST
January 8, 2009 Kodak has worked relentlessly to ensure it is still a heavyweight contender as the world of photography has moved from silver halide to digital, and its new 12 MPX Z980 Digital Camera shows it is still on its game. Apart from an image-stabilized 24X optical zoom lens, the US$400 Z980 has an innovative vertical shutter release that will be very useful for those who like to use the long zoom to pull their subjects in very close. "The clever design is a second shutter on the side that becomes the shutter button when you turn the camera to take a landscape shot", says Gizmag's Noel McKeegan (pictured). "The navigation dial also becomes the zoom button when you do this, making it a very comfy camera to use both ways." There's no accelerometer (next model?), so it doesn't happen automatically. You have to flick a switch on the top of the body to engage this function. It’s also the flagship digital camera running the company’s new Smart Capture software, which automatically adjusts the camera’s settings to consistently deliver high quality images. Read More
Pentax Optio P70 compact – 12 MPX plus 720p video
By Mike Hanlon
19:47 January 5, 2009 PST
January 6, 2009 Digital still image and video continue to converge with Pentax announcing the US$200 Optio P70 at CES. The ultra-slim P70 takes 12 megapixel still images and 720p video, sadly at just 15 FPS, but it’s a start. There’s a 4X optical zoom (equivalent to 27.5mm-110mm), a 2.7 inch high-resolution, wide-angle view LCD panel, and new Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology to assure sharp images with low noise even in poor lighting. Read More
SnaptureFlash adds a Xenon flash to the iPhone
By Tim Hanlon
19:01 December 23, 2008 PST
Snapture Labs, the team behind the excellent Snapture camera software for the iPhone, have unveiled the SnaptureFlash - a protective iPhone case packing a Xenon flash with 50,000 lux brightness, which is about 100 times the brightness of your average LED flash. Read More
The Top 50 Best Selling Camcorders
By Tim Hanlon
01:06 December 22, 2008 PST
Need a last minute Christmas gift, or just a way to capture the special moments over the coming holiday period? Check out this list of the 50 best selling camcorders on PriceGrabber, and the best prices available on the net. Read More
Samsung to show new media processor for digital photo frames
20:12 December 17, 2008 PST
Samsung Electronics has announced a new series of media processors aimed at delivering a functionality boost to the popular digital photo frame market. Slated for mass production in Q1 2009, the new processors offer fast decoding - tested at one second for a 57 megapixel JPEG image - and integrate media rich capabilities such as touch screen control. Read More
Nikon's portable viewing surprise package: the Media Port UP
18:03 November 27, 2008 PST
Here’s one we didn’t see coming. Nikon is much better known for capturing media through its cameras and lenses so the announcement of a multi-tasking portable viewer might have slipped past the media gaze as one of those weird things photographers have. It’s not – it’s for everyone and we think the Wi-Fi ready Media Port UP headset, which offers video comparable to viewing a 50-inch large screen from a distance of three meters and motion sensor control, could well find a niche among the emerging crop of portable media viewing solutions. Read More
windykites1
- November 24, 2009 @ 19:38 UTC
