Praktica unleashes a slew of 10 and 12-megapixel shooters
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted November 30th 2009 7:21PM
posted November 30th 2009 7:21PM
Dresden's Praktica brand has a long, distinguished history -- but like many such brands with long, distinguished histories, stateside readers usually encounter this name attached to some pretty average consumer electronics. In this case, we have a smattering of nondescript digicams that feature the usual compliment of face detection, SD/SDHC card support, and a torrent of scene modes: In the realm of 10 megapixel cameras with 2.7-inch displays you can take your choice of either the Praktica Luxmedia 10-03 (available in black or silver, features 32 MB on board memory, voice recording, 720 x 400 video recording) or the Praktica Luxmedia 10-23 (available in blue or red, features 16 MB built-in memory, panorama mode, red eye removal in playback mode, and intelligent scene selection). Moving up to 12 megapixels, the Praktica Luxmedia 12-03 (silver) rocks a 3.0-inch display and panorama mode, while the Praktica Luxmedia 12-Z5 (black) features a 2.7-inch display, 32 MB storage and intelligent scene mode selection. Is your mind blown yet? Didn't think so.
If B&H Photo Video doesn't have this brand in stock, it does not exist for US residents.
And it doesn't have this brand in stock.
(no pun intended)
@Electromodo
http://www.adorama.com/SearchSite/Default.aspx?searchinfo=Praktica
What's the Vonnegut reference here, am I missing something?
He was a POW in Dresden when the fire bombing took place, he had to help clean up the 100,000+ bodies. Read Slaughterhouse Five...
@mramsey Ha, I have read Slaughterhouse Five, I skimmed the article looking for a Vonnegut mention, didn't notice the company was from Dresden.
@kaplanfx
Wow great, I did the same thing and skimmed it. Way to go Engadget for showing Kurt.
@kaplanfx
Hey, Vonnegut -- YOU'RE FIRED!
Prakti... what?!?
I'm pretty sure Praktica translates to "craptica".
@Comment "One of the first inventions of the firm, which is still known today, was the roll film SLR camera in 1936." "They also produce optical equipment for the space programs of the US, Western Europe and the Russian Federation."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praktica
They used to be rather good, though nowadays the brand is abused and raped by putting their name onto some crappy cameras. It's a shame.
So are these just rebadged cameras from someone like Olympus or some Chinese budget brand?
The software behind these things nowadays is pretty extensive. I can't imagine a small company developing it all from scratch.
I'm kind of surprised that Digital Cameras as a general rule these days come with so little on-board memory.
I'm sure that the extra couple of dollars helps their margins and gives their retail partners an easy upsell but throwing 4-8 gigs of onboard memory seems like it would add very minimal cost, allow slightly smaller and sturdy builds.
I know it doesn't make much sense for Digital SLRs but throwing 8GB of built-in memory, a non-removable Li-Polymer battery and a micro-usb port for charging/syncing would offering the consumer a compellingly smaller, more convenient camera and between and the manufacture a small build cost.
@(Unverified)
I agree 100%
@Needsahaircut vote him up and stay quiet then - no need to post
slaughterhouse 5 was about the firebombing of Dresden, one of the oldest cities in Europe, during a campaign by the British air force to terrorize the enemy. This was well prior to the tide turning in favor of the allies and yes the US did participate; during the repeated carpet bombings we did drop huge numbers of "conventional" as opposed to incendiary bombs. And then of course the American infantry took the city on foot, Mr. Vonnegut reportedly being one of them. Excellent book, makes you laugh and feel terrible shortly after for doing so. As an infantry combat vet(of no concrete political persuasion) I recommend it to anyone.
well done, engadget
I knew there was a reason you had me hooked
@charcharias
I am not sure if I read your post correctly, but anyone who has read Slaughterhouse 5 knows that Kurt wasn't down on the ground of Dresden fighting, but was a POW. I may have read your comment wrong, but your post seems to say that he was on the ground fighting in the infantry.
@charcharias
Vonnegut was a POW during the bombings, and in his stated opinion, the tide had already turned and the bombing was pointless. Infantry never took Dresden.
Wow for a second there I thought someone found Jim Croce alive after all these years.
Why is this even an article? Theres nothing new or innovative about it. No offense Joseph.
Isn't that Kurt Vonnegut???????
@Dr Yusuf AlKindi Actually that's Kilgore Trout
Praktica? Wow there's a name I haven't seen in decades. I used to sell Praktica lens for SLR cameras back in the mid 80's. @K-Mart no less.
I looked, but I guess I only have a cheapo Focal on my old Zenit.
C'mon, everyone knows Praktica. It's just as good as Panaphonic, Magnetbox or Sorny!