Camera

00:22 October 27, 2008 PDT

Tailgate mounted cameras are nothing new, but Ford’s new miniature rear-view camera system is enhanced by a very simple idea. Two yellow lines indicating the total width of the vehicle including mirrors are superimposed onto the camera image while a third line marks the vehicle’s center line. The lines move to show the path of the vehicle based on the current steering angle and, while the two lines indicating the width of the vehicle help drivers reverse safely and accurately, the third center line assists in lining up a tow hook with a caravan or trailer. 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

AUTOMOTIVE

Mercedez-Benz adaptive high-beam assistant

22:42 October 19, 2008 PDT

We’ve all nearly been blinded and had to flash our high beams at oncoming drivers who have failed to dip their lights, but Mercedes-Benz' latest adaptive lighting innovation could help end of such dangerous incidents by taking driver error out of the equation. The newly developed high-beam assistant system uses a dash-mounted camera to automatically adapt headlamp range to the distance of other vehicles, meaning drivers will at all times benefit from optimum headlamp range by becoming aware of danger spots, pedestrians and other road users more easily and more quickly. Read More

PET GIZMOS

CatCam documents pet adventures

By Emily Clark

23:28 October 12, 2008 PDT

“Mr Lee” became the internet’s most popular feline when his owner attached a matchbook camera to his collar in order to document the secret life of a cat. Now pet owners can buy their own Mr Lee CatCam to see what their furry friend gets up to when humans aren’t around. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic Mobile Device

21:47 October 8, 2008 PDT

What looks like an iPhone, functions like an iPhone, but isn’t an iPhone? Nokia’s new 5800 XpressMusic, that’s what. Nokia would most likely balk at suggestions their new mobile offering is in response to Apple’s ubiquituos device, but comparisons are inevitable with the 5800 sporting similar looks courtesy of a large touch screen, similar looking interface and focus on music. The 5800 XpressMusic will be among the first devices to support "Comes With Music", a Nokia service which offers one year of unlimited access to the entire Nokia Music Store catalogue. Read More

ROBOTICS

Machine vision cameras powered via Ethernet cable

00:14 October 8, 2008 PDT

Baumer’s new line of GigE (Gigabit Ethernet) cameras receive power via a Cat6 Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for a separate power cord. The cameras provide machine vision for product lines and robotic applications- a process greatly simplified by the reduction of cables. Read More

Samsung announces Pixon 8MP touch-screen camera phone

01:22 September 30, 2008 PDT

Samsung announces Pixon 8MP touch-screen camera phone

Samsung is looking to satisfy consumers who want more than a second string performance from their mobile phone camera with the announcement of a new full-touch screen, 8-megapixel unit dubbed the Pixon. The slimline (13.8mm) design does look more like a camera than a phone and incorporates a number of features usually found only in the stand-alone camera realm such as face detection, shake-reduction and geo-tagging. The unit's 3.2 inch, 240x400 touch screen also enhances its photo browsing capability and with auto-focus, dual power LED Flash, a music player, FM Radio, Bluetooth connectivity and video recording at 30 fps (720 x 480) including slow motion playback, it looks to be another useful example of convergence in the mobile handset market. Read More

SanDisk ships 45MB/s Extreme IV CompactFlash Card

23:57 September 23, 2008 PDT

SanDisk has used the Photokina trade fair to announce a 12.5-percent jump in speed (now 45 megabytes per second) and the addition of a 16-gigabyte version to its Extreme IV high-performance memory card line. Read More

Nine megapixel camera phone module announced

20:16 September 22, 2008 PDT

These days in-built cameras are very much a standard accessory for mobile phones, and it's an area where the bar just keeps on getting higher. In the latest news, Digital Imaging Systems has launched the first ever 9 megapixel camera module for mobile phones. Designed so that handset manufacturers can upgrade without hardware change, the DIS6931 is an all in one still camera module that includes auto-focus, high quality lenses, mechanical shutter and a neutral density filter. Read More

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR shoots full HD video

02:33 September 22, 2008 PDT

Only a few short weeks ago we heralded Nikon's HD video ready D90 as a landmark "first of many all-in-one imaging devices" that pack the combination of processing technology and quality lenses necessary for capturing BOTH still images and video of the highest standards... and we haven't needed to wait long for the next mouth-watering installment. Canon's EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera not only features a full frame (24 x 36mm), 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, low noise, extended sensitivity range, improved performance in tricky light conditions, two different file size options for shooting in RAW format and a host of other impressive specs, it also captures HD video at an unprecedented 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 fps. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

HTC S740 smartphone

By Emily Clark

23:39 September 17, 2008 PDT

HTC's latest edition to its "S" range of smartphones takes a conventional 12-key candybar phone design, slots in the company's speciality - a sliding QWERTY keyboard - and adds 3.8 inch wide-screen, 3.2 megapixel and mobile broadband download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps (if your carrier can handle it). Read More

ELECTRONICS

Sony's high-speed Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX

17:14 September 8, 2008 PDT

The memory card has a reading speed of 20MB/s and a writing speed of 15MB/s.

Sony is releasing the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX this October, in 4GB and 8GB capacity. The memory card has a reading speed of 20MB/s and a writing speed of 15MB/s - and when used with the supplied USB adaptor, it transfers data one third faster than the Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2). Read More

Liquid Image offers hands-free underwater image capture

By Jude Garvey

07:08 September 7, 2008 PDT

Take 'hands-free' photographs and video with Liquid Image Underwater Digital Camera Mask

The Liquid Image Underwater Digital Camera Mask is a unique two-in-one mask and camera solution that allows you to take hands-free photographs and video underwater. Suitable for use in the pool or the sea, the camera mask could ensure you never miss that magical underwater moment. Taking photographs or video is so simple; you line up your shot using the crosshair marks on the mask and push the capture button. Read More

Canon announces 15.1-megapixel EOS 50D Digital SLR... and more

03:23 August 27, 2008 PDT

The 15.1-megapixel EOS 50D uses the new DIGIC 4 Image Processor

Canon's newest EOS digital SLR will hit shelves in October packing a 15.1-megapixel resolution, in-camera photo editing, improved noise reduction and a new DIGIC 4 Image Processor that delivers an expanded ISO range and 6.3 frames-per-second continuous shooting capability. Read More

Hitachi announces updated Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder

By Emily Clark

11:21 August 12, 2008 PDT

Hitachi's new has Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder can record onto either Blu-ray Disc, Hard Drive or SDHC format and promises a number of notable improvements from its predecessor such as a seven megapixel CMOS image sensor, face detection, image stabilization and longer recording time. Read More

Nikon announces six new additions to COOLPIX line-up

15:16 August 8, 2008 PDT

Nikon announces six new additions to COOLPIX line-up

Nikon's latest raft of COOLPIX compact digital cameras share a number of new features designed to give snap-happy consumers better results including smile detection, blink warning and "Scene Auto Selector Mode" which automatically selects the right scene mode according to shooting conditions. The flagship COOLPIX P6000 also offers image stabilization and GPS for geotagging of your best shots, the COOLPIX S60 gets a touch-screen interface, the COOLPIX S610c includes Wi-Fi transfer capabilities and the S710 boasts an impressive 14.5 megapixel resolution. Read More

The Hasselblad H3DII-50

14:16 July 15, 2008 PDT

H3DII with the GIL GPS recording device attached

July 15, 2008 The latest addition to high-end camera specialist Hasselblad’s H-Series is the H3DII-50, and yes, the 50 in the camera’s model number does refer to 50 megapixels thanks to Kodak’s 50 megapixel 36×48mm sensor. This sensor is twice the physical size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors with Kodak stating that, "at 50 [megapixels] the sensor captures digital images with unprecedented resolution and detail. For instance, with a 50 megapixel camera, in an aerial photo of a field 1-½ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot)." In addition to the increased resolution, the new sensor also provides the foundation for the development of advanced lens performance and optical corrections. Read More

Sony HDR-CX12 Camcorder automatically snaps smiling faces

19:27 June 26, 2008 PDT

Billed as the world's first high-definition camcorder with both "Smile Shutter" and face detection technologies, Sony's HDR-CX12 Memory Stick Handycam camcorder automatically takes a 10 megapixel still photo when it encounters a smiling face - even when in standby mode. Due for release in August at an estimated price point of USD$900, the compact 2.8" x 5.3" x 2.8" camera records full 1920 x 1080 HD video onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2) media cards and boasts a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens, a built-in zoom microphone with Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround and image stabilization. Read More

Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac

22:45 June 24, 2008 PDT

Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac

June 25, 2008 Logitech's latest webcam offering is its first Mac-compatible model to feature autofocus technology and Carl Zeiss optics. Read More

SPY GEAR

StealthVue Pennycam aids reliable surveillance

02:24 June 23, 2008 PDT

It’s frustrating when sophisticated surveillance technology is circumvented by robbers who use a not-so-sophisticated baseball cap to shield their face. Retailers can reclaim the edge with StealthVue’s PennyCam, a hidden camera that provides upwardly-angled pictures of anyone who approaches the counter, delivering a clear, identifiable view of their face. Read More

2GB Flip Video Mino - smaller than a cellphone

By Loz Blain

23:47 June 17, 2008 PDT

June 18, 2008 In May last year we praised Pure Digital's Flip Video camera for its simplicity, ease of use and instant YouTube upload facility. Now, the Flip has been upgraded - and downsized - with the release of the Flip Video Mino, a 2GB flash video camera that's smaller than the average cell phone, with a 1.5 inch LCD screen and flip-out USB connector for immediate uploading. Read More

Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card range

20:13 June 15, 2008 PDT

The makers of the world’s first wireless SD memory card for digital cameras have complemented the original offering with two additional devices tailored to meet specific user needs. The original Eye-Fi (now called Eye-Fi Share) is joined by the Eye-Fi Explore, which adds geographic location tags to each photo, and the Eye-Fi Home, which is aimed specifically at home users. Read More

MILITARY

Thales UK's optronic mast: the sonar invisible periscope alternative