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BenQ's emaciated 8 megapixel DSC X800: just barely three-dimensional
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]
The Lensas F2218: why wait for your 8 megapixel cameraphone?
Yeah, yeah, we know that Nokia, Samsung, and probably every other top tier manufacturer has an 8 megapixel cameraphone cookin' in the oven as we speak. Problem is, you're impatient, we're impatient, and frankly, we'd like this stuff now. Chinese firm Lensas has the solution to the pollution, though: meet the F2218, quite possibly the orangest 8 megapixel candybar on the market today. There's even a xenon flash in there, too, and from the looks of the sample shots on PConline's review, the whole package does alright for itself. Of course, without some incredibly fast network (say, TD-SCDMA) to back it up it gets a little tricky to effectively get those massive shots back and forth, but it's a start -- and in a reversal of roles, it's the big guys who'll be doing the copying come next year.[Via Unwired View]
Samsung's 8 megapixel CMOS sensor for phones -- another world's first
You know all those 3 megapixel cameraphones out there? Well, they're about to achieve 8 megapixel ubiquity. Samsung just announced availability of their 8 megapixel CMOS sensor which shares roughly the same 10.5 x 11.5 x 9.4-mm girth of its 3 megapixel cuz. Just make sure you've got plenty of light to frame those shots if you're expecting anything close to a quality image.
Sony's 4GB Cyber-shot DSC-T2 with 2.7-inch touch panel
Sony just announced the sticky-sweet Cyber-shot DSC-T2 compact camera. Available in you choice of blue, green, pink, white or black candy coatings, the T2 comes loaded with specs: 8 megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD; 4GB of on-board flash storage with Memory Stick Pro Duo expansion; 2.7-inch, 230k pixel touchscreen LCD; ISO 3200 max sensitivity; Sony's "smile shutter" and face detection tech; and 3x Carl Zeiss zoom with optical image stabilization. Ready for plenty of egg noggin' granny shots this December for about $350.%Gallery-9036%
Casio's Exilim EX-Z8 shooter loosed somewhere in the world
We'll have to take their word for it, but LetsGoDigital assures us that Casio has a new Exilim Zoom-series shooter, the EX-Z8. Its 8.1 megapixels are helped along by the Exilim Engine 2.0 processing and anti-shake DSP. Rounding things out are a 2.6-inch LCD, 3x zoom, face-detection tech, and a YouTube-mode for capturing H.264 compressed video in formats ideal for sharing. Pretty standard stuff these days in the land of compact shooters.
Ricoh Caplio R7: 8.1 megapixel with 7.1x wide zoom
Ricoh keeps on keepin' on with another bump in specs for their R-series shooters. The R7 takes the R6 into 8.1 megapixel territory while maintaining the 7.1x wide zoom lens while tossing in their new Smooth Engine III image processing which should help quiet the noise at higher ISOs. Available in silver, black, and orange next month for a tax inclusive price of £230 in the UK. %Gallery-6452%[Via Impress]
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-H3: an 8 megapixel, 10x zoomer
While everyone is pining over the new Canons (and rumored Nikons), Sony has quietly unveiled their Cybershot DSC-H3. Of course, it doesn't warrant the comparable fuss. This latest super-zoom to go point-and-shoot brings a 1/2.5-inch, 8 megapixel sensor; 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens; optical image stabilization; ISO 3200 sensitivity; and 1080p image out via a multi-use AV terminal which requires -- you guessed it -- a $40 proprietary component conversion cable from Sony. Thanks. Still, not bad for $300. Pre-orders for US-itizens start tomorrow. %Gallery-6223%[Via Akihabara News]
Canon's SX100 with 10x zoom, A720, and budget 12 megapixel A650
Crave more point-and-shoot news this morning? Yeah, we feel ya. Still, we're compelled by the dark digicam overlords to tell you about the new SX and A-series of Powershot cams from Canon. The first camera in the new SX ultra-zoom series is the $300, 8 megapixel SX100 IS shooter (pictured). It features a 10x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, DIGIC III image processor, OIS, advanced face detection, 30fps VGA recordings, 19 shooting modes ranging from manual to fully automatic, and a chubby little grip to keep hold of the action. The budget minded A-series then, gets a pair of 6x, optical stabilized zoomers with the 12.1 megapixel A650 IS and 8 megapixel A720 IS for $400 and $250, respectively. The A650 even brings an old school, 2.5-inch flip-out LCD for shooting around corners. Look for the new A-series models starting in September with the new SX100 hitting in October.%Gallery-6118%Read -- SX100Read -- A-series
Samsung's NV8, NV15, and NV20 Smart Touch shooters
So in addition to their newest PMP cam, Samsung also loosed three updates to their NV (as in eNVy, yuk yuk) line-up of digital cameras. On the mostly meaningless megapixel scale, we're looking at the 8 megapixel NV8, 10 megapixel NV15, and 12 megapixel NV12. All the new NV cams feature Samsung's "Smart Touch" softkeys surrounding a 2.5-inch LCD, Schneider optics with a 3x optical zoom, likely useless ISO 3200 max sensitivity with ASR image stabilization, face detection technology, SDHC expansion, and VGA video at 30fps. The NV20 and NV15 both hit the US in the Fall for $399 and $299, respectively, while the NV8 is TBD on all accounts.%Gallery-5340%
Samsung's i85 PMP camera: aces the i7's swivel, adds a megapixel
Here ya go, another 8 megapixel shooter only this time, it's Samsung doing the honors. The new 0.8-inch thin i85 brings the PMP action like their i7 without the swiveling novelty of that rear LCD. Instead, the brushed aluminum, i85's 3-inch LCD remains fixed with the sound provided by the built-in stereo SRS 3D speakers or 2.5-mm headphone jack. Unfortunately, the i85 supports WAV and MP3 audio and MPEG, AVI, MOV, WMV and ASF video files only after conversion via bundled software. Rounding out the specs are a 5x optical NV zoom lens, Samsung ASR image stabilization, ISO 1600 sensitivity, 256MB of onboard memory with SDHC expansion, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/2,000 sec. Available this Fall for $349, list.%Gallery-5337%
FujiFilm's pair of 8 megapixelers: the Z100fd and S8000fd with 18x zoom
In the continuing onslaught of FinePix cameras this morning, FujiFilm also announced a pair of 8 megapixel (1/2.5-inch CCD) shooters: the S8000fd and Z100fd (pictured). The fixed lens S8000fd features a Fujinon 18x optical zoom lens and a high-speed, mechanical CCD-shift stabilization, electric viewfinder or 2.5-inch LCD, VGA video at 30fps, and a continuous shot mode capable of 15 shots per second at a 2 megapixel resolution. The Z100fd is pretty much the Z10fd for grown-ups. It brings a 5x optical zoom, IrSimple infrared, and the CCD-shift mechanical image stabilization found in its bulkier cuz. The S8000fd is scheduled to hit The States in September for $400 while the Z100fd will hit Asia around the same time frame for ¥40,000 or about $332. %Gallery-5229%[Via Impress] Read -- S8000fd Read -- Z100fd
Panasonic unleashes a trio of wide angle, 8 megapixelers: Lumix FX33, FX55, and FZ18
Panasonic just unveiled a trio of new Lumix shooters: the wide angle DMC-FX33 and DMC-FX55 (pictured) with 3-inch LCD and FZ18 with 18x optical zoom. Kicking things off are the two nearly identical 28-mm wide angle compacts. The FX33 bests its FX30 sib by packing an 8.1 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD and new light sensor to increase the 2.5-inch LCD's brightness when in direct sunlight. The FX55 then, brings the same pixel count along with that monster 3-inch LCD and same 28-mm wide angle, 3.6x optical zoom LEICA DC lens. The DMC-FZ18 meanwhile, brings the same CCD sensor only with a 28-mm wide angle, 18x optical zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens. All three ship in a variety of colors with face detection tech and Panny's optical image stabilization which will definitely come in handy on the biggie zoom.%Gallery-5175%[Via LetsGoDigital] Read -- DMC-FX55 Read -- DMC-FX33 Read -- DMC-FZ18
FujiFilm's FinePix F45fd: an F40fd in Argos clothing
Attention Argos shoppers, their "only available at Argos" exclusive on the FujiFilm FinePix F45fd is not all that exclusive. Spec for spec, the F45fd is none other than the F40fd rolled up special for the on-line UK and Republic of Ireland retailer. Your 200 Quid ($407) takes home an 8.3 megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, 300 shot battery, ISO 2000 sensitivity, and storage on xD or SD cards. Not bad but no reason to get uppity with your mates about an "exclusive." [Via LetsGoDigital, thanks David]
Kodak's four slim shooters: the M753, M853, M873, M883
More from Kodak in the form of these four from Kodak's M series of ultracompact shooters. The 7 megapixel M753, 8 megapixel M853 (pictured), and 8 megapixel M873 each sport 2.5-inch LCDs while the 8 megapixel M883 dials it up to a 3-incher. The top-end M883 offers face detection technology, a full metal chassis, and ISO 3200 sensitivity. All the cameras feature a panorama stitching mode and MPEG-4 video capture which maxes out with a 640 x 480 resolution at just 15fps. The $149 M753 hits in June, the $179 M853 and $199 M873 in August, and $229 M883 in September -- each available in several colors. More photos as we get 'em. [Via Photography Blog]
Ricoh Caplio 500SE Model W rocks WiFi and Bluetooth
If you're looking for the perfect camera to take on your next vacation to the Amazon rainforest or Sahara desert, look no further than Ricoh's upcoming Caplio 500SE; like the 500G that preceded it, this 8 megapixel ruggedized shooter also sports a water-, shock-, and dust-resistant casing, but throws in some sweet wireless action to offload your pics no matter where you are. The high end Model W not only features a WEP- and WAP-secured WiFi radio like several other products on the market, but is one of the first imaging devices to also include Bluetooth 2.0 in the mix. No hotspot? No problem -- just transfer the pics over to your smartphone and release them onto the Internet wherever a cellular connection is available. Besides the dual radios, you're getting a 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, 26MB of internal memory (enhanced via SD), and rather underwhelming QVGA video capture that may not even include sound. Still, this is a hell of a package (both in terms of its feature set and its weight: 482 grams fully loaded) with a price to match -- ¥130,200 ($1,100) for the Model W and ¥115,500 ($990) for the WiFi-less Model B when they ship sometime this winter and September 1st, respectively.[Via The Raw Feed and dottocomu]
Kodak's new EasyShare C875 leaks into Europe
There's no official release from Kodak for this one, at least that we could spot, but it seems they've got a new consumer shooter for Europe in the 8 megapixel EasyShare C875. The semi-compact unit has a 5x zoom lens, includes 32mb of built-in storage, a 2.5-inch screen and uses SD memory to store that megapixel overkill. At 1.4-inches thick and 3.5 ounces heavy, Kodak seems to have packed this one pretty well, but the £249 pricetag ($467 USD) is a quick reminder that those megapixels don't come cheap.
The CP-8660: Acer's new flagship digital camera
Chances are, if you walk up to the red carpet, or into the photo pit at the next U2 concert, sporting the new Acer 8660, the pros will die laughing behind their 1Ds Mark IIs and D2Hs, so we were a little surprised to see the word "professional" on the product page. Sure, the specs are fine, with an 8.28-megapixel sensor (maximum resolution 3320x 2496), big 2.8-inch TFT LCD, image stablization and 6x optical zoom, but any cam with 25MB of internal memory, which is only expandable to 1GB using an SD card probably isn't going to cut it for the aspiring paparazzi. Other specs include an 8.5x completely useless digital zoom, 30 fps VGA video recording, 17 different shooting modes and a complete lack of bright red paint. No word on pricing, but the product page suggests it will be "competitive," so your guess is as good as ours.[Via Mobilewhack]
Olympus Stylus 810 reviewed
C|net just layed mits to the 8 megapixel Olympus Stylus 810. In their review of this weatherproof (not waterproof) shooter with image stabilization, c|net calls the 810 a "very good" camera with "solid" image quality. Sure, noise is the "biggest problem" with the 810 -- quite visible at ISO 400 until becoming a "distinct texture" by the time you reach IS0 3200. However, the reviewer still considered the quality "acceptable" when compared to the alternative of dark and blurry shots taken under low lighting conditions. But by now, no one should really expect the small CCDs found in these compact shooters to perform any differently, right? Notably, the camera suffered from an "easily washed-out" LCD when used in sunlight which is potentially crippling at times due to the lack of a glass viewfinder. Still, the $349 cam pulled a 7/10 rating largely due to its hot (for a compact) burst mode capable of 12 shots in about 2.6 seconds (at 3 megapixel resolution) and generally good image quality. Still, if you're looking for an 8 megapixel camera, you can probably do better.[Via Digital Photography Blog]
HP's 8 megapixel Photosmart R927 reviewed
It's still seems a bit silly to be shooting 8 megapixel shots out of such a compact camera, but we're not going to stand in your way, and neither will HP with their flagship compact offering, the Photosmart R927. Besides the 8 megapixel CCD, the camera has a 3-inch LCD, along with HP specific software enhancements to help you get the most out of those 8 million pixels. The reviewer found the image quality solid, with "controlled noise" at ISO 400, good low light focusing, and HP's adaptive lighting functionality, though there were purple fringing problems that are evident when making large prints. The interface is easy enough for a grandparent to use, along with being easy to see on the 3-inch LCD. HP's image undelete, in-camera panorama stitching, and automatic red eye reduction software enhancements were all easy to use and fairly functional. After a brisk startup, the camera is a bit sluggish shot to shot, which is worsened by the red eye processing, but if you can deal with that, and the lack of an optical viewfinder or optical image stabilization, you might find this to be a pretty good cam for the roughly $400 price.
Canon EOS 30D 8.2 megapixel DSLR reviewed
Although not as much of an upgrade from the 20D as photography enthusiasts would have liked, the Canon EOS 30D DSLR nonetheless retains the quality performance and full feature set of its predecessor while addressing some key concerns that users had with the 2004 model. DPreview comes to these conclusions prior to bestowing their "Highly Recommended" rating on the 30D -- which obviously fared well in their rigorous testing -- finding it to be a strong competitor in its category for both image quality and value. Most welcomed by the reviewers was the addition of spot metering, variable continuous shooting rates, and the jump to a 2.5-inch LCD, although problems that plagued the 20D such as AI Servo banding with certain lenses and poor incandescent lighting results were not improved to their satisfaction. Still, besides these relatively isolated issues, most of the gripes with this model are minor quibbles, and it seems safe to say that anyone in the market for a mid-range DSLR would be more than satisfied with Canon's offering.
