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Samsung AQ100 reviewed and found partially-worthy of Flipper glamour shots
PhotographyBlog has indulged us with a thorough review of Samsung's 12.2 megapixel WP10 waterproof compact -- known as the AQ100 stateside -- and their takeaways are mixed. One major concern is that the screen misleadingly makes photos appear overexposed. Its slow 5x zoom, run of the mill feature set and measly battery life good for approximately 150 shots per charge doesn't improve the situation; nor does the lack of separate charger for juicing dead spares while using the camera. That said, an included HDMI port, a clever SmartAuto shooting mode, and relatively quick two second start up time does help balance the equation. Throw in the fact that it's waterproof up to 3 meters, takes decent imagery, and has an MSRP of $199 with street prices dipping even lower and they concede it's not a terrible proposition as a laid-back compact. Whether it's a better deal than a slew of other Cousteau-worthy options released this year such as the Finepix XP10, Sony TX5, or Pentax Optio w90 is still something we'll leave you to mull over. Can you really quantify the value of your camera color matching the water you're shooting in though? For more details, read the full review at the source link below.
Engadget's back to school guide: Digital cameras
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Time for us to open up chapter two of this year's Back to School advice compendium. Up for discussion today are digital cameras, which have been in the gym all year working on their processing prowess and return today with 720p HD video as an almost standard feature. We've got a good cross-section of young pretenders and finely aged veterans for your perusal, so why not give your mouse a little exercise as well and click past the break?
Sony's waterproof and dustproof DSC-TX5 stands up to review scrutiny
You'll remember the TX5 as Sony's do-it-all solution for compact camera fans. It aims to be both stylish -- with a slender 0.7-inch profile and a 3-inch touchscreen -- and rugged, thanks to a metal frame that makes it impervious to water, dust and sub-zero conditions. Throw in the backlit Exmor R CMOS sensor, optical image stabilization, SDHC compatibility, and 720p movie mode and you've got a pretty fearsome paper tiger on your hands. But does it roar in reality? According to Photography Blog, you won't be getting the finest image quality around, but the TX5 impressed with some terrific high ISO performance, excellent handling of chromatic aberrations, and a versatility that allows you to take photos you might not otherwise get to with more conventional shooters. That is an opinion broadly shared by CNET, though both reviewers agreed that pricing will be a tough pill to swallow given that this is still just a 10 megapixel point-and-shoot. Hit the sources for more or mosey on past the break for a sample video.
Sony's DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April
Our early info on this diminutive shooter only indicated it'd be waterproof, so it's a pleasant surprise to see some further optimizations thrown in for use in less hospitable environments. You'll be able to go down to 10 feet under water with the TX5, drop it from a 5-foot height, or explore the tundra at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) without the camera throwing in the towel. So Sony claims anyhow. Other features include a now confirmed 10fps burst mode, a 10.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 4x optical zoom plus optical image stabilization, and a 3-inch touchscreen on the back. The one thing that doesn't make the transition from rumor to reality is the reputed 1080p movie mode -- the TX5 makes do with a still desirable 720p video recording. Sony's also kicking out the DSC-H55 (pictured after the break) today, which will have the same video mode, but adds a 10x optical zoom and a thicker, non-weatherproofed body. Both cams will happily write to Class 4 and above SDHC cards when they debut this April, priced at $350 for the TX5 and $250 for the H55. %Gallery-85894%
Sony DSC-TX5 waterproof camera sprung from a leak
Think Sony would be happy with just making its latest shooter waterproof and calling it a day? Not a chance. Early information on this as yet unannounced compact indicates a 10fps burst mode, 4x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, an intriguing image stacking mode for reduced noise in high ISO shots, and full 1080p MPEG-4 movie recording. 1080i / 60fps AVCHD video is also possible, apparently, and if recent trends are continued the DSC-TX5 will also be able to store media on SD cards. Hallelujah. You'll find a couple more water-soaked images after the break, and the official launch is expected to take place at PMA 2010.
