Camera
Magic Lantern unofficial firmware for the EOS 5D Mark II shows Canon how it's done
By Darren Quick
17:06 July 1, 2009 PDT

Canon might want to consider putting a certain Trammell Hudson on the payroll. Hudson has developed an enhancement to the firmware of the Canon 5D Mark II digital SLR camera to make the already impressive camera an even more attractive option for shooting professional video. Dubbed ‘Magic Lantern’, the new firmware includes both audio and video fixes and is a completely open platform, meaning users are free to extend the Magic Lantern firmware themselves. Read More
Pentax announces tough new compact - the Optio W80
By Paul Ridden
07:03 June 30, 2009 PDT

Whether you're the rugged outdoor type or just accident prone, Pentax is aiming to make your life a little easier with the release of the Optio W80 compact digital camera. The Optio W80 is dustproof, waterproof to 16 feet, has an operational temperature range starting at a chilly -10 degrees Celsius and can withstand a drop from 3.3 feet. Read More
Sandisk unveils fastest 32GB SDHC card
By Jeff Salton
01:08 June 25, 2009 PDT

With high-end DSLR cameras now shooting 20-megapixel images in rapid succession, few photographers would argue with the need for greater storage and data transfer speed. Sandisk is satisfying both with its latest SDHC card, which brings the 30MB/s transfer speeds seen in its SanDisk Extreme SDHC range last year to a 32GB model. Read More
Fastest astronomical camera will produce out-of-this-world pictures
01:28 June 23, 2009 PDT

While the twinkle of stars may delight poets and lovers, for a scientist it’s simply evidence of the atmospheric disturbance that blurs and distorts detail in deep space images. Combining an incredible 1500 exposures a second capability with an extremely sensitive CCD220 image sensor, the OCam camera is able to analyze and correct these distortions, enabling pictures taken through Very Large Telescopes (VLT) on Earth to be as sharp as those taken from space. Read More
Olympus goes back to the future with the retro-styled E-P1 digital camera
By Alan Brandon
18:05 June 19, 2009 PDT

A modern reinvention of the classic Pen camera from the 1960s and 70s, Olympus' E-P1 rolls a compact point-and-shoot form factor and full-size DSLR features together in a way that seems to defy categorization. There's something undeniably appealing about a 12.3-megapixel camera with interchangeable lens system, 720p high definition video, image stabilization and stereo audio recording that you can carry in a classic leather half-case, but the E-P1 is almost as notable for what Olympus left out. Alan Brandon zooms in for a closer look. Read More
Toyota Corolla Verso first Euro vehicle with Gentex rearview camera mirror
03:56 June 18, 2009 PDT

Toyota is claiming a European first by including a Gentex Rear Camera Display (RDC) mirror in its new Toyota Corolla Verso multi-purpose vehicle. The mirror has a built-in LCD screen that automatically displays a rear-camera view when the vehicle is shifted into reverse and then disappears when any other gear is selected. Read More
Mercedes-Benz's ESF2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle showcases safety systems of the future
By Loz Blain
00:26 June 18, 2009 PDT

When Mercedes-Benz produced its last safety demonstrator car back in 1974, it showcased exotic new technology like airbags, head restraints and seatbelt tensioners - things which have become almost ubiquitous on new cars 30 years down the track. So it's worth taking a good look at some of the wild and crazy innovations on Benz's ESF2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle if you want to see where Mercedes thinks road safety is going in the next few decades. How about high-beam multi-zone headlights that intelligently dip only the LEDs shining directly at oncoming cars? Or inflatable metal structures that pop up for extra strength in a crash? What about a huge inflatable braking airbag that pops out under the car to provide a massive high-traction contact patch and doubles your braking power in an imminent crash? Amazing stuff, and there's more. Read More
Eye-Fi launches wireless memory card for pros
22:35 June 11, 2009 PDT

Eye-Fi, makers of the world’s first wireless memory card, has expanded its range with a new SDHC memory card aimed specifically at professionals and photo enthusiasts. The Eye-Fi Pro is a 4GB wireless memory card that supports RAW images and allows direct peer-to-peer connectivity between camera and computer, without the need for an internet connection. Read More
Cisco PVC300 Internet camera brings Big Brother to small companies
By Alan Brandon
17:06 June 11, 2009 PDT

Cisco’s new PVC300 Pan Tilt Optical Zoom Internet Camera provides a suite of surveillance features aimed at small companies who want to keep a watchful eye on their employees and business property. Designed to operate on existing wired networks, the PVC300 provides two-way audio, motion activated recording, automatic alerts and full-motion live video that can be viewed from virtually anywhere on an Internet-enabled PC or mobile phone. Read More
Microsoft shows off Project Natal motion-sensing control
By Darren Quick
00:58 June 3, 2009 PDT

“You are the controller.” No, it’s not some new Zen proverb for gamers, it’s how Microsoft describes its new motion-sensing, controller-free technology code-named Project Natal. Following details leaked a few weeks ago when the US patent office released documents, Microsoft has given a demonstration of the technology that looks and behaves a little like a Sony PlayStation Eye on some serious steroids. Read More
JVC monitor fully in the picture
By David Greig
19:30 May 27, 2009 PDT

JVC has just released a 42-inch HD LCD monitor, the Xiview LT-42WX70, designed specifically for high-end digital SLR camera buffs and professionals alike. The 120Hz, 180p monitor lets pro or enthusiast see – and play with – the subtle colors, details and textures of their images. Read More
PENTAX announces advanced K-7 digital SLR
By Alan Brandon
21:36 May 21, 2009 PDT

PENTAX has announced its new flagship DSLR camera, the K-7. The K-7 brings welcome updates to the PENTAX digital SLR line, and now offers many of the features that photo enthusiasts have come to expect from a high-end DSLR, including a redesigned body, a new 14.6-megapixel image sensor, and the ability to shoot HD video. Read More
Up close with Extech's digital microscope and camera
By David Greig
23:52 May 20, 2009 PDT

The world unseen, or barely seen, by the naked eye is full of mystery and surprise. For many professions, however, it's also part of the job. People employed to inspect printed circuit boards or the quality of fabrics, verify fingerprints or investigate counterfeit currency and forensics, research plants or appraise gems – the list goes on – all need to look at their worlds in microscopic detail. Extech Instruments' hand-held digital microscope with camera has just the portability and functionality that makes getting close to their job a whole lot easier. Read More
Garmin's new Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t GPS for in-car or outdoors
By Mick Webb
19:03 May 19, 2009 PDT

Garmin's latest handheld GPS offering for explorers who like to hit the open road - as well as veer completely off it on foot - crams a 3-axis compass, 850MB of on-board memory and a 3.2 megapixel, 4X optical zoom digital camera into a 6.8 oz., water and weatherproof package with a 3-inch touchscreen interface. Read More
Genius' travelers webcam doubles as speaker unit
By David Greig
00:34 May 19, 2009 PDT

Genius' Look 313 Media is a multifunctional take on the webcam that integrates a USB 2.0 hub and two rotational speakers to provide a new mini-digital entertainment option for travelers looking for that extra space in their suitcase. Read More
World's fastest camera captures images at six million frames per second
By David Greig
18:06 May 14, 2009 PDT

Using a new approach based on more than 10 years of research, engineers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have demonstrated a camera that captures images at 6 million frames per second - that's a thousand times faster than any existing conventional camera. This technique could lead to fresh insights into fast moving phenomena in physics, chemistry and biology. In medical research for example, it may lead to image capture of individual cells in blood streams, opening up the possibility of detection of unhealthy or cancerous cell forms. Read More
Flipping out over the new Flip Ultra and Flip UltraHD
By David Greig
21:12 May 5, 2009 PDT

Pure Digital Technologies has launched the second generation of its popular Flip Ultra and Flip UltraHD. The two new Ultra camcorders feature two hours of recording time, a high-resolution two-inch anti-glare screen and a AA rechargeable battery pack, which can be charged using the camera’s flip-out USB arm. Read More
Getting a grip of Samsung's new ergonomic camcorders
By Darren Quick
17:21 May 4, 2009 PDT

The unabated miniaturization of technology has seen camcorders quickly shrink from bulky, shoulder-supported behemoths to tiny feature-packed devices that fit in the palm of your hand. Samsung’s latest SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 camcorders reject the pistol grip design that some manufacturers have embraced in favor of a horizontal body with the same shiny Touch of Color (ToC) finish as the company’s latest TVs. Read More
Panasonic climbs aboard Hollywood's 3D roller coaster
By Darren Quick
01:21 April 29, 2009 PDT

While the popularity of 3D movies has had more ups and downs than a roller coaster, the technology is experiencing a resurgence in popularity with Hollywood scrambling to generate more 3D content. The latest manufacturer taking the ride up is Panasonic. The electronics giant has announced it will start developing a professional 3D Full HD production system consisting of a twin-lens P2 professional camera recorder and a 3D-compatible High Definition Plasma display. Read More
VholdR ContourHD: world first wearable camcorder shoots HD video
21:30 April 27, 2009 PDT

Action camera specialist VholdR looks to have pulled out all stops with its latest offering - the ContourHD Wearable Camcorder. Billed as the world’s first and lightest HD wearable camcorder, the ContourHD shoots widescreen, 1280x720 HD quality video at 30 frames per second, sports a new 135 degrees lens, a new internal microphone and an innovative twin laser shot alignment system, all wrapped in a self-contained, ruggedized package that weighs just 4 ounces. Read More
WristShot gives the wrist a break during filming
By Darren Quick
01:23 April 23, 2009 PDT

Camcorders have come a long way from the analogue behemoths people were forced to lug about in days gone by. With the steady reduction in size, it has not only lightened the load for budding directors, but also it has done away with the need to rest the camera on your shoulder when filming, with the exception of expensive professional models. But this has had a downside – increasingly unstable shots as the user’s hand tires and begins to shake. Camera accessory manufacturer Hoodman has come to the rescue, however, with a simple solution that gives videographers’ wrists a rest. The WristShot is a camera mount that transfers the weight of the camera from the wrist to the forearm. Read More
Sony unveils GPS-enabled HD camcorder for travelers
By David Greig
17:51 April 22, 2009 PDT

Sony has backed up its announcement of a GPS-enabled HD camcorder at this year's CES with a new lightweight GPS-enabled model designed to woo the avid traveler. The HDR-TG5V Handycam camcorder includes Navteq digital mapping software which geotags the video or still digital images, 16GB of flash memory, a 10X optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD touch panel with a new intuitive user interface and a hard-coated titanium body designed to withstand the rigors of life on the road. Read More
The Zacuto Gunstock Shooter series takes DSLR filmmaking to the next level
By Mick Webb
17:11 April 18, 2009 PDT

Any budding filmmakers looking to emulate Hollywood style 35mm motion pictures using their own Digital SLR cameras should take a look at the recently released Zacuto Gunstock Shooter series. A combination of industry standard features and compact design is set to see independent filmmaking taken to the next level. Read More
Lego set to launch a line of portable electronic gear for kids
By Jude Garvey
17:53 April 15, 2009 PDT

Lego Systems has joined with Digital Blue to produce a range of colorful Lego-inspired electronic gear for kids. The range of portable electronics includes an alarm clock (pictured), boom box, MP3 player and later in the year, a stop animation video camera. Designed to appeal to little and big kids, the first products will be released mid-year. Read More
The CellScope: transforming the cell phone into a mobile microscope
By Karen Sprey
20:09 April 14, 2009 PDT

The CellScope is a revolutionary attachment that turns a standard camera-enabled cell phone into a clinical quality microscope, with magnification up to 50X. Health workers in developing countries, where expensive equipment, facilities and on-the-ground physicians are scarce, will be able to use the mobile microscope to quickly and easily capture images of blood cells, lesions and infections and transmit them via the cell phone network to remote experts for analysis and diagnosis. Read More















John M
- November 25, 2009 @ 17:19 UTC