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Ben-Q debuts E1260 HDR digicam with 12-megapixels, 720p video
Ben-Q might not be the most well-known name in the gadget game, but it does have a pretty solid track record when it comes to entry-level consumer electronics. The company's newest shooter might not come in the most eye-pleasing package, but the 12-megapixel E1260 HDR should do well enough in capturing those spontaneously heartwarming (or cloying) scenes with the family this summer: 720p video! 28mm 4x optical wide angle zoom lens! A 'passable' 2.7-inch LCD display! And how about that HDR image enhancement technology? Apparently, this bad boy's "high dynamic range" feature manages high contrast lighting to eliminate excessive backlight. Intrigued? This one should hit store shelves sometime next month. PR after the break.
Casio finds one more compact camera to debut: the Exilim EX-Z33
Thought Casio was done when it rolled out three mostly similar Exilim compact cameras earlier this week? Think again, 'cause the company's now let slip its new Exilim EX-Z33 model, which offers just a little bit less all around compared to its slightly higher-end counterparts. That includes 10.1 megapixels as opposed to twelve, a 3x optical zoom instead of a 4x, and a 2.5-inch widescreen LCD instead of a 2.7- or 3.0-incher. You'll also get the usual face recognition and best shot modes, a built-in YouTube video mode to take some of the work out of uploading, and an all new Easy Mode that's supposedly even easier to use than before. No word on a price just yet, but we'd assume it'll be less than the $149 Casio is asking for its more capable EX-Z90.
Samsung taking all that complexity out of pointing and shooting with the 12.2 megapixel TL100
Yes, we know just how hard it can be to take pictures with your standard compact digital camera, what with the whole shutter button and all. Thank goodness for Samsung, who will take ease of use to a "new level" this spring with the TL100 slim camera, capable of automatically detecting whether you're taking a picture of a mountain or a person and toggling the appropriate mode accordingly. It can even go ahead and just take the durned picture for you in certain modes, able to tell when everyone has their eyes open or is beaming a sufficiently big enough smile. It will also take 800 x 592 videos at 20fps, and manages to pack a 2.7-inch TFT LCD into a body that Samsung says is just 16mm thick -- if you don't count the protrusion from the 3X lens. Since that lens is decidedly non-removable, we think we will.Read [Warning: DOC link]%Gallery-40917%
BenQ announces E1050 camera for drab and mysterious shooters
BenQ is enhancing its selection of pocketable shooters with another modestly-spec'ed offering, the E1050. It has your standard 3x optical zoom lens on the front and 3-inch LCD on the back, with a 10 megapixel CCD forming the meat in this 17.6mm thick sandwich (though BenQ points out that it is 16.8mm thin at its skinniest bit). Its stainless case is only available in a muted gray, surely to disappoint those who need color in their life. However, that nondescript hue plus the inclusion of shooting speeds all the way down to ISO 3200, twice that of the earlier (and thinner) T850, should make this a solid choice for spies and ninjas. Beyond potential espionage action there isn't much to get excited about here, especially at an undisclosed price and undisclosed availability -- but don't let that stop you from checking out a picture of its back-side after the break.
BenQ intros "world's slimmest" 8-megapixel camera, the T850
BenQ has never been one to shy away from laying claim to world's thinnest / smallest titles, and it's done so yet again with its new T850 camera, despite the fact that it's seemingly identical in size to the company's previous T800 model. New this time around, however, is an increasingly-common smile-catching feature, as well as a "swipe" gesture interface, which BenQ claims is unique among touch screen cameras. Otherwise you'll get the same 8-megapixels, 3x optical zoom, and 3-inch display as before, as well as the usual anti-shake and face-tracking features. No word on a price just yet, but you'll apparently be able to get this one in your choice of black or red when it launches in the (presumably) not too distant future.
BenQ rolls out E800, C850, C750 compact digital cameras
Those that like their digital cameras entry-level and nondescript now have a couple of new options to consider from BenQ, which has just announced its new E800, C850, and C750 models. Kicking things off, the E800 is an 8-megapixel shooter, with a 3x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD, ISO settings up to 1600 (no promises on quality), and the increasingly common face-tracking and smile-catching features. The C850 (pictured above) and C750, on the other hand, get a little bit fancier with leather-wrapped handles, but otherwise boast many of the same specs, with the C850 staying at eight megapixels and the C750 dropping down to seven. No word on prices just yet, but you can expect the C850 and C750 to hit "select countries in Europe and the Asia Pacific region this month, with the E800 launching "worldwide" by the end of May.Read -- Photography Blog, BenQ E800Read -- Photography Blog, BenQ C850 and C750
Olympus Mju 1030 SW gets reviewed
Olympus' Mju 1030 SW compact digital camera got a little lost in the jumble of cameras that the company released earlier this year, but the folks at Photography Blog have now given the compact shooter its due with a full review. As you might expect, the 10-megapixel camera's main selling point (its toughness) earned it the highest marks, with its metal case proving to be decidedly studier than the competition -- not to mention shockproof and waterproof, although the site apparently didn't test those features too strenuously. It was a bit of a different story when it came to actually taking pictures, however, with the Mju turning in only "acceptable" results, and only then after some basic tweaking. The fact that you have to pay a fairly hefty premium for all that sturdiness ($399) doesn't help things either, but if you're the type that goes through cameras like nobody's business, it may not be the worst option to consider.
Yashica resurfaces with a trio of new compact cameras
We haven't heard much from Yashica since it was snapped up by Kyocera way back when, but it looks like that's about to change, as Crave recently spotted three new digital cameras sporting the familiar brand at the Imaging Expo in Singapore. Leading the pack is the 14-megapixel AV1400-HD model, although there doesn't appear to be any more details on it than what you see on the face of the camera above (it will apparently be released by the end of the year though). Specs are a bit more plentiful for the now available EZ8032 and EZ7033 models, however, with the former boasting 8.2 megapixels, a 2.5-inch LCD, and thickness of 22 mm, and the latter packing a still decent 7.2 megapixels, along with a 3-inch screen, a 3x optical zoom, and an even slimmer thickness of just 18.5 mm. There's still no word on a possible release 'round there parts though, so die-hard Yashica fans may have to find a way to get one from Singapore.[Thanks, Canonkid]
Nikon's Coolpix frenzy continues with L14, L15, S700, and S510
Hope you're not tired of Coolpixes yet, cause Nikon's got another bundle of compact cameras for us, including two new models in its L series and two in its S series. As the model numbers suggest, there's not a whole lot of difference between the L14 and L15 (on the top above), with the former packing a 7.1 megapixel CMOS and a 3x zoom lens that covers a practical range from 38-114mm, while the latter ups things to 8.0 megapixels and a 3x zoom covering 35-105mm. The L15 also boasts a slightly larger 2.8-inch LCD, as opposed to a 2.4-inch one on the L14. Moving into higher-end territory, the Coolpix S700 packs an impressive 12.1 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD in a slim aluminum body, while the also-aluminum S510 boasts 8.0 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom, and a pink color option in addition to the standard black and silver. Look for the whole lot of them to be available sometime next month, with the L14 and L15 running $150 and $180, respectively, and the S700 and S510 setting you back $380 and $300 apiece.Read - Nikon Coolpix L14Read - Nikon Coolpix L15Read - Nikon Coolpix S700Read - Nikon Coolpix S510
BenQ intros T700 compact digicam
BenQ may have its troubles these days, but that hasn't stopped 'em from churning out its usual variety of products, one of the latest of which is its new 7 megapixel T700 compact digital camera. Measuring just a sliver under 15 mm thick, the cam boasts a sizeable 3-inch touchscreen display that takes up the majority of space on its backside, along with a 3x optical zoom, BenQ's "Super Shake Free" mode, and 18MB of internal storage with an SD slot providing some much-needed expansion options. You'll also be able to snag this one in your choice of four colors (black, white, sliver, and red), with each now available (in Taiwan) for the local equivalent of $333.[Via Engadget Chinese]
Pentax announces Optio E30 compact
Pentax has announced a new entry-level camera in its Optio line, following up the E20 (and E10 before it) with, you guessed it, the E30. As with those earlier models, this camera's aimed squarely at the point-and-shoot set, one-upping the E20's 6 megapixel sensor with a 7.1 megapixel one this time around, along with the same 3x optical zoom and 2.4-inch LCD. Otherwise you'll get the usual range of camera preset modes, a token 11MB of internal memory, and an SD slot for some all-but-required expansion (including support for SDHC cards). There's no word on price or availability just yet, although if the previous models are any indication, it should come in somewhere in the $200 range.
