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Big Shot camera kit could help turn your kid on to the dark world of the teardown

by Laura June posted Nov 11th 2009 at 1:36PM

Pardon us while we freely admit that we have literally no idea what's going on inside a camera -- whether it's digital or those quaint film-based ones you hear about from your grandma. Luckily, our own kids might not have to suffer as we have: a group at the Computer Vision Laboratory at Columbia University have designed and built a prototype digital camera that should demystify the devices. The Big Shot digital camera kit, if / when it hits the market, will be a box of all the necessary parts for kids to be able to build their own simple, candy-colored digital camera. While the Big Shot is still in prototype testing phase, we really hope this gadget (and more like it) makes it to the market sometime soon.

[Via Make]

Digital camera inventor Steve Sasson collects honorary PhD, Economist award

by Vladislav Savov posted Oct 29th 2009 at 7:04AM

If there's one thing we know about geeks, it's that they hate having nothing to do. Bill Gates has filled his spare time collecting knighthoods and Harvard degrees, and Steve Sasson -- inventor of the first, and assuredly biggest, digital camera -- is now following in his distinguished footsteps. Sasson perfected a microwave oven-sized 0.01 megapixel prototype while working for Kodak way back in 1975, and has now been awarded an honorary PhD for his troubles from the University of Rochester. The man, the geek, and the legend (all the same person) will be in London later today receiving further recognition, in the form of The Economist's Innovation Award, which commends the "seismic disruption" his invention caused in the field of consumer photography. Funny, nobody gives us any awards for being disruptive.

Read - University of Rochester honorary doctorate
Read - The Economist Innovation Award

Canon EOS 7D now official, coming end of September for $1,899

by Ross Miller posted Sep 1st 2009 at 12:13AM

Now everyone pretend to be surprised here. Canon's gone official with what everyone has already seen and read about in detail, the EOS 7D. Specs look to be exactly what we heard, too: 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with 8 frames per second continuous shooting, 1080p 24fps HD video with full manual control, a 3-inch LCD, 19-point AF system, and wireless flash control. Mum's still the word on pricing and availability, though. Hit up the read link for the full press release, as well as some hands-on impressions care of Digital Photography Review.

Update: Canon's press release has now gone live. Price is $1,699 body-only or $1,899 with an EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens, and target launch is set for end of September.

Gallery: Canon EOS 7D now official, coming end of September for $1,899

Read - Press release
Read - Hands-on

Sony's CyberShot DSC-HX1 camera gets official, coming March for $500

by Ross Miller posted Mar 2nd 2009 at 8:51PM

Sony has finally shown its cards for PMA this year, and that Ten of Clubs up its sleeve looks to be the CyberShot DSC-HX1 we heard about last week. According to the presser, it's the company's first digital camera with sweep panorama technology for up to 224-degree horizontal and 154-degree vertical panorama shots with the push of a button. It's also sporting a 20x optical zoom, 1/2.4-inch Exmor CMOS sensor for 10 frames per second at 9.1 megapixel resolution, a Sony G lens and 1080p HD movie recording. Look for it this March for around five Benjamins.

BenQ's emaciated 8 megapixel DSC X800: just barely three-dimensional

by Evan Blass posted Jan 14th 2008 at 6:29PM

It may not be the biggest name in consumer electronics, but when it comes to stuffing megapixels into ridiculously-skinny packages, there aren't many out there who do it better than BenQ. Case in point is the new eight megapixel DSC X800, which, at just 9.8 millimeters at its thinnest point (14mm at its fattest), is not only slimmer than the recently-announced DC X835, it even gives the company's trimmest seven megapixel shooter, the 12.5-millimeter DC X725, a run for its money. Besides its pocketability, however, this model doesn't offer much in the way of high-end features: 3x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, digital image stabilization, VGA movie mode, and a rather non-standard microSD slot are par for the course here. Keep reading after the break for another angle / color combo of the as-yet-unpriced shooter, which should be shipping sometime this quarter.

[Via Slashgear]

Continue reading BenQ's emaciated 8 megapixel DSC X800: just barely three-dimensional

Matsushita battery plant fire delays Pentax cam

by Evan Blass posted Oct 24th 2007 at 10:48AM

Not content with simply destroying our laptops and cellphones, those evil little lithium ion packs have just escalated the human-battery conflict once again by sacrificing many of their number to lay waste to an entire building. Actually, it's not clear what started the fire at Matsushita's Li-ion plant in western Japan on September 30th, although we suspect a cadre of malcontents decided to self-detonate after taking a cue from their comrades at Sony. What is clear is that an unnamed Pentax digital camera -- probably one of the recently-announced Optios -- will be delayed because of the fire, with its launch being pushed from next month to February of next year. Hitting us in the gadget, right where it hurts: smart move, clever foes, smart move.

Toronto to add photo surveillance to public transit vehicles

by Darren Murph posted Oct 23rd 2007 at 9:42AM

We never thought adding an absurd amount of surveillance cameras to a city (or its public transportation system) would become fashionable, but it seems like Toronto is the next big locale ready to hop on the Big Brother bandwagon. Reportedly, plans are already underway to "ensure every person using Toronto's transit system will be photographed as of next June," which means that some 12,000 cameras will have to be installed on "every [Toronto Transit Commission] bus, streetcar, subway car and at each station." Of course, it's noted that the images acquired will only be used as "crime-busting tools," and the entire system is expected to cost a cool $18 million. Good news for employees / police stationed at the transit system's command center, though -- you'll be able to "view live video or hear audio from any of the security cameras installed on subway cars." Now that's quality entertainment.

[Via The Raw Feed]

Networked cameras to seek out parking violators

by Darren Murph posted Sep 12th 2007 at 5:02AM

The folks in England just can't catch a break. As if hovering surveillance drones, camcorder-wielding traffic wardens and helmet cam-equipped officers aren't enough to keep you on the straight and narrow, London's city of Westminster is apparently looking to "install networked security cameras that can recognize parking permits and the plates of offending vehicles." Essentially, the system would enable parking violators to be ticketed without an actual human witnessing the offense, and it's being dubbed "the most significant application to be deployed on the Westminster's WiFi network." Eventually, the council plans to roll out about 250 of these sure-to-be-hated cameras, and it should ruin enough people's days to "pay for itself in two to three years."

[Via CNET, image courtesy of BBC]

Canon to build $451 million factory to make image sensors

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted Jul 15th 2007 at 2:17PM

Canon has announced plans to construct a $451 million factory to construct CMOS components for its cameras. Expected to start production in July next year, the factory will be built on an existing site near Tokyo and will be be dedicated entirely to churning out the complementary metal oxide semiconductors (we prefer the acronym) required to detect light in every digital camera. It should have a capacity of around 3 million chips a year, which is only a fraction of the 24 million cameras that Canon hopes to produce this year. Good for Canon, we say.

HP unveils nine new budget-friendly Photosmart cameras

by Paul Miller posted Jun 21st 2007 at 10:43AM

What's a Thursday in June without nine new boringcams from HP to be totally underwhelmed by? We can't think of a better way to spend our morning than to sort through all these mundane Photosmart models, and if you have the patience feel free to join in on the fun. The cameras range from the $80 E337, which features a 5 megapixel sensor and a 1.5-inch LCD, all the way up to the R937 (pictured), sporting a 3.6-inch touchscreen and an 8 megapixel resolution, which goes for $300. In between is a vast wasteland of minor feature bumps and teensy aesthetic tweaks, but we've gotta hand it to HP for packing good amount of features into some fairly well priced cameras. Keep reading and all will be revealed.

Continue reading HP unveils nine new budget-friendly Photosmart cameras

Fujifilm's FinePix A820 and A900 for consumers

by Paul Miller posted Feb 22nd 2007 at 12:46AM

Just like Canon's new PMA-bound A Series cameras, Fujifilm's new A820 and A900 cameras don't really break a lot of new ground, but there sure is a lot more megapixel bang-for-buck going on here. For $180 and $200, respectively, the A820 brings 8 megapixels and the A900 goes for 9, while both camera have 4x zooms and 2.5-inch LCDs. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any form of optical image stabilisation here, nor any of those much-hyped Face Recognition AF/AE features we've been seeing in other PMA offerings, but if all you're looking for is pixels and lots of 'em, you can't go far wrong with this pair of FinePix, which will be hitting shelves in March.

Canon's compact PowerShot TX1 captures 7.1 megapixel stills and HD video

by Evan Blass posted Feb 21st 2007 at 11:25PM

Watch out, Sanyo, because your diminutive HD2 camcorder is about to face some very daunting competition from Canon. Like the recently announced Sanyo, the PowerShot TX1 packs a 7.1 megapixel CCD into a tiny little package capable of capturing 720p HD video as well -- but unlike the $700 HD2, Canon is hanging just a $500 pricetag on this model. Besides its one-two punch of high resolution stills and videos, this device offers a 10x optical zoom (with an optically-stabilized lens), a 115,000 pixel LCD, and ISO settings ranging from 80 to 1600. You're also getting the latest Digic image processor, advanced face detection and red eye reduction, Vista-compatibility, 14 shooting modes, and a so-called "Intelligent Orientation Sensor" to keep the display looking right no matter how you're holding the cam. No word so far on a release date, but with all this functionality at a very attractive price, you can probably expect the TX1 to fly off shelves when it finally makes its debut.

Gallery: Canon's compact PowerShot TX1 captures 7.1 megapixel stills and HD video

Canon debuts SD750 and SD1000 Digital ELPH cameras

by Paul Miller posted Feb 21st 2007 at 11:23PM

Two new compact and fashionable PowerShot Digital ELPHs from big C, the SD750 and SD1000. Canon seems to be mostly focused on the looks here: we've never seen a growed-up digicam manufacturer be so proud of "Dynamic Dual-Tone Elegance," but there's decent stuff under the hood. Like most of the PMA-bound cameras we've spotted, these include Face Detection-based auto focus, auto exposure and red-eye correction. There's also the DIGIC III Image processor, and ISO as high as 1600, but everybody comes for the basics: 3x zoom, 7.1 megapixel CCD and a 2.5-inch LCD in each shooter. The $300 SD750 gets a bit fancy on form factor, but manages to be a mere 0.75-inches thick, while the 4.5 ounce SD1000 keeps the the classic ELPH look and also retails for $300. Both should be out in March, and include 32MB SD cards for good luck, though no mention is made of SDHC. Remember, it's fashion first for this line.

Gallery: Canon debuts SD750 and SD1000 Digital ELPH cameras

Sigma finally cops to a release date for its SD14 DSLR

by Evan Blass posted Feb 20th 2007 at 7:42PM

Well it'll have been over six months between the time we first heard about it and when it actually hits store shelves, but we finally have a solid release date for the somewhat-anticipated, Foveon-packing Sigma SD14 DSLR. If it's possible for you to remember back that far, you may recall that Sigma attempted to drum up some interest in this 14 megapixel shooter with a teaser campaign in late August of last year, just before it was officially announced at Photokina 2006. The disappointment came a few months later when Sigma pushed back the SD14's street launch to March, citing some hardware issue that the company wouldn't disclose. And according to a press release on Sigma's website, the problem has indeed been addressed, with the camera scheduled to ship starting on the 6th of next month. Keep in mind, though, that this model isn't for the thrifty -- it's gonna cost you over $2,000 to get in on this action.

Nikon's new L10, L11 and L12 Coolpix take it low-end

by Paul Miller posted Feb 19th 2007 at 11:34PM

Nikon is beefing up its L Series ("L" stands for life, dontchaknow) and while the specs pale in comparison to some of Nikon's other new offerings, there's plenty to love here for the point-and-shoot set. The L10, L11 and L12 sport 5, 6 and 7.1 megapixel CCDs respectively, with 3x Zoom-Nikkor lenses and a full quality movie mode. The L10 and L11 can muster a mere ISO 800, and the 2-inch LCD on the L10 is positively cro-magnon, but the L11 picks it up a bit with 2.4-inches. We wouldn't be caught dead with anything less than the L12, which adds in optical image stabilisation, a 2.5-inch LCD and ISO 1600, but the $120, $150 and $200 price tags make all of these compact shooters quite tempting to the low-frills, no-budget types. All three should be available near the beginning of March.