Cameras and Imaging
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
The Top 50 Best Selling Digital Cameras
By Tim Hanlon
19:03 November 16, 2008 PST

Looking at upgrading your old point and shoot to a digital SLR? Need a Christmas gift idea for someone special? If it's been a while since you checked out the price of a new digital camera, you might be surprised at how cheaply you can do it - here's a list of the 50 best selling digital cameras right now on PriceGrabber, with links to the cheapest places you can buy one online. Read More
Wolverine F2D scanner boasts five second film conversion
By Kyle Sherer
01:20 November 14, 2008 PST

A solution for those who want to preserve old film and slides without the need for archive boxes and frequent dusting, the Wolverine F2D Scanner can convert 35mm film negatives and slides into 5-megapixel digital images without using a computer and each pic takes just five seconds to scan. Read More
World's smallest video projector
By Emily Clark
22:19 November 9, 2008 PST

The EPP-HH01 Pico Cube from Epoq Multimedia lays claim to the mantle of the world's most compact and lightest portable video projector. We're not sure how accurate the claim is, but a unit which includes a speaker in its 2 x 2.2 x 1.6 inch footprint is pretty impressive, and anyway, it's a title that will undoubtedly change hands many times in coming years as video projection systems shrink rapidly to satisfy our mobile multimedia demands. Read More
Epson V300 Photo Scanner tailored for film conversion
By Emily Clark
21:40 November 9, 2008 PST

Designed as a low-cost option for converting images captured on film into digital files, the new Epson Perfection V300 Photo scanner offers optical resolution of up to 4800dpi, 48-bit color depth, zero warm up time and can also be used for regular A4 document scanning. Read More
Casio's EXILIM EX-FH20 high-speed digital SLR
01:37 October 22, 2008 PDT

Casio has introduced a second high-speed EXILIM model to complement the EX-F1 announced earlier this year. The EXILIM EX-FH20 doesn't quite match its formidable sibling in terms of shooting rates, but at a lower price point and still achieving bursts of 40 fps plus high speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps, it could well appeal to those looking to shoot fast-moving action while still keeping with an eye on their bank accounts. Read More
Digital Foci launches Image Moments 6 digital photo frame
22:17 October 7, 2008 PDT

Digital Foci Inc is expanding its Image Moments line of digital photo frames with a new 5.7-inch model that boasts the highest pixel density digital photo frame on the market (140 PPI), includes an LED backlight to enhance color reproduction, stereo speakers and a low power consumption design. Read More
Dell M109S offers ultra-portable projection
19:05 October 7, 2008 PDT

Dell’s latest offering for road warriors looking to lighten the load is the M109S Projector. Measuring 3.64” x 4.12” x 1.46” unit and weighing 0.80 lbs, the device boasts 858x600 SVGA native resolution, 800:1 contrast ratio and DLP display technology. Read More













Keith Lawhorn
- November 11, 2009 @ 03:07 UTC