7Megapixels
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Ricoh Caplio R6 adds face detection to the R5
T'is the season for new cameras, and Japan's Ricoh is getting in on the fun with the launch of its latest R-series Caplio, the R6. An evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary enhancement to the R5, the R6 offers the same 7.24 megapixel CCD, 7.1x optical zoom, and vibration correction as its predecessor, but throws down a slightly larger display (2.7 inches versus 2.5 inches), redesigned, slimmer body, the new hotness of face detection technology, and perhaps most exciting of all, a "distinctive strap attachment." Other nice features include VGA video at 30fps, maximum ISO of 1600, SDHC support, and a long-life battery that promises 330 shots under whatever weird conditions they test these sort of things. Available now, the R6 is priced at £230 including VAT, so figure us non-Brits will be shelling out somewhere in the neighborhood of $370.
Sanyo's Xacti HD2 high-def camcorder delivers 7 megapixel stills
It's deja vu all over again: at almost this exact same time last year, Sanyo unleashed the world's smallest HD camcorder in the form of its VPC-HD1, and now the company has stepped up its game with the brand new Xacti HD2. Maintaining the same pistol-grip form factor and 720p resolution as its predecessor, the HD2 kicks the stills up to seven megapixels, delivers 75% better low-light sensitivity, and perhaps best of all, ships with a docking station that sports HDMI out. Like the HD1a, this new model boasts support for SDHC, and Sanyo claims that a big fat 8GB card will store almost three full hours of footage. Other notable specs include 16:9 mode, a 2.2-inch LCD, 10x optical zoom, and spoken directions to help newbs get shooting right away. Expect the HD2 to drop sometime in March, and even though you're getting a number of improved features, Sanyo managed to knock $100 off of the HD1's initial price of $800. Check out the gallery below for some hands-on action... Sanyo's Xacti HD2 high-def camcorder delivers 7 megapixel stills
Samsung NV7 reviewed
When Samsung decided to target the more discriminating consumer with its NV-series (NV = New Voyage -- thrilling!) of "Lifestyle" digicams, it chose to forgo the rather staid aesthetic of most of its older models for more distinctive, high quality designs -- but as with so many other "fashionable" products, The Photography Blog reports that you're getting more sizzle than steak when it comes to the seven megapixel NV7. On first glance it would seem that this hybrid cam has the potential to be a real winner: besides the attractive looks and tight build quality, you're getting a Schneider lens with long 7x optical zoom, a welcome tag team of digital as well as optical image stabilization, and several manual control options for finicky photographers. Unfortunately, for all its attractive features, the NV7 just don't take a very good picture. While it supposedly handles chromatic aberrations well and makes good use of that optical stabilization, images tend to come out looking very noisy, even at a low ISO 100 (maximum ISO is 1000, but both that setting and ISO 800 and reportedly unusable). Other faults include the rather ineffective digital Advanced Shake Reduction option, a steep learning curve for getting accustomed to the 13 unlabeled soft keys bordering the 2.5-inch LCD, and the fact that optical stabilization turns off after every shutdown. But the main problem here is those grainy images, so unless you're willing to overlook picture quality for eye-catching design, it sounds like you're best off spending your ~$475 on a shooter that gives you better performance.
