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Dell rolls out compact, inexpensive WM311 wireless mouse
It may not be quite as sleek as a Magic Mouse or as button-happy as the WarMouse, but we're guessing there's plenty of folks looking for something just like Dell's new WM311 wireless mouse, which is compact, decent-looking and cheap. Running just $30, the travel size-friendly mouse promises 1000 dpi optical tracking, packs a nano USB receiver with "concealed, fold-up storage," and is available in your choice of black, red, white or blue (each of which sport a black base and a glossy finish). Hit up the source link below for a closer look, and to get your order in if you like what you see.
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.
Pentax Optio M90 compact shows that VGA isn't dead
Image sensors keep getting more and more pixels shoved onto their tiny surfaces, but still VGA video capture just won't die. The latest to extend its legacy is the Pentax Optio M90, a 12.1 megapixel compact that gathers light through a 5x (28-140mm equivalent) lens up front and records to SD/SDHC cards. It naturally sports all the fancy smile- and blink-detection modes you'd expect in a little shooter, plus a so-called Copy mode, which pledges to somehow make it act like a hand-held scanner. We're intrigued, but the lack of HD video capture is a definite bummer. Neither price nor specific availability have been announced, but we're going to guess cheapish and soon.
Pentax Optio I-10 reviewed: 'perfectly average compact camera' in a decidedly stylish case
We had high hopes for the Pentax Optio I-10, a little compact camera that breaks out of the brushed metal box and delivers a style reminiscent of a '70s SLR. Unfortunately, initial hands-on reports weren't encouraging and, now that we've had a chance to read a full review, it seems this one lacks the performance to back-up its looks. Neutralday.com put this 12.1 megapixel, 5x zoom model through its paces and found that it delivers thoroughly average images in most situations, with highlights being its compact size and fast startup, but low-points including inaccurate auto-focus in low light and poor ISO performance. Ultimately it's not a bad camera and we're certainly not opposed to paying a little extra for a gadget that makes you feel warm inside, but if you're strictly looking for the best performance you can save money by choosing a model without faux leatherette styling.
Samsung prices TL500, TL350, AQ100 and SL605 shooters
Samsung has just visited a bunch of data sheets upon us, and we've drawn out a few as yet unknown numerals regarding pricing and availability of the shooters it showed off at PMA this year. The TL500 above, swiveling AMOLED screen and all, will set buyers back $449 this spring when it'll be joined by its junior sibling, the TL350, which will cost $349. Both shooters offer RAW support and dual image stabilization, though funnily enough the cheaper 350 model offers 1080p video recording whereas the gaudier TL500 makes do with 640 x 480. If you're after something a bit more durable, the scratch-proof and rubberized SL605 will set you back only $129, while the all-weather AQ100 gets a $199 sticker, with both expected in that same spring release window. Phew, aren't you glad you know all that now?
Polaroid PoGo instant digicam on sale next week, toilet graffiti will never be the same
We still don't have the European or US release dates for the Polaroid Pogo instant digicam but they can't be far behind the February 26th date just announced for Japan. Looks like we might see a price cut too, given the ¥10,000 (about $110) price in Japan compared to the $199 price announced at CES. Of course, you still have to shell out for the ZINK instant photo paper 10-packs scheduled to run for $4.99, or $12.99 for the 30-pack variety. As a camera, it's not much with its 5 megapixel sensor, SDHC storage, weak-sauce LCD, and 0x optical zoom as we discovered during our hands-on. What it lacks in specs, though, is made up for by its novelty. 2-inch by 3-inch photo stickers in 60 seconds? Urban ego tagging just got a brand new playbook. Also announced is a bevy of forgettable budget shooters, including the 12 megapixel t1235, 12 megapixel i1237 with touchscreen LCD, and 9 megapixel a930. Lady GaGa must be so proud.
Olympus' SP-800UZ 30x superzoom starts taking pre-orders
Thought your decision was made when Nikon's P100 superzoom hit online stores yesterday? You might wanna give Olympus' offering a quick peek as well, as today the SP-800UZ has debuted on Amazon with a similar shipping schedule of three to five weeks. It brings quite the punchy résumé too, with its 30x optical zoom and $349 price both being that little bit better than Nikon's hardware. Additional enticements include a 14 megapixel sensor with dual image stabilization, AF tracking, 720p video recording, face detection and a 3-inch LCD. Just to make sure you're completely comfortable with your purchase, the above price also includes a spare high-capacity battery, mini tripod, lens cleaning kit, and a USB card reader. Man, wish mobile operators treated us like this. [Thanks, Ron]
Canon rolls out four new colorful PowerShot compact cams
Canon's just gone and busted out four new cameras in its point and shoot PowerShot line. Up first the PowerShot Sx210 IS boasts a 14.1 megapixel sensor, a 28mm wide-angle lens with 14x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD, and can shoot HD video. The SX210 IS will come in black, purple and gold. The PowerShot SD3500 IS also packs a 14.1 megapixel sensor, with a 24mm ultra wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD. The PowerShot SD3500 IS will come in black, silver and pink. The PowerShot SD1400 IS similarly has a 14.1 megapixel sensor, with 28mm lens and 4x optical zoom, but this little guy is less than an inch thick, and will be available in pink, orange, silver and black. Finally the PowerShot SD1300 IS has a 12.1 megapixel resolution, with a 28mm wide angle lens and 4x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD. It'll be available in silver, pink, green, blue and brown. The SX210 will be available in late March for $349.99, while the SD3500 IS, The SD1400 IS, and the SD1300 IS will arrive in late February (that's this month!) for $329.99, $249.99 and $199.99, respectively. Full press release is after the break. %Gallery-84939%
Panasonic's geotagging DMC-ZS7 compact superzoom gets handled
It's been just a few days since Panasonic took the wraps off its update to the DMC-ZS3 that we liked so very much, the new DMC-ZS7, and Zumo Blog has been already given the opportunity to take a few pictures of one in the wild. The changes here are mostly evolutionary, with the same impressive 25 - 300mm 12x zoom lens on the front and the same AVCHD Lite 720p recording mode. New, though, is a GPS module nestled on top, capable of automatically tagging your photos, the SD slot can now accept SDXC cards, and it looks like the mode dial has been moved to a more natural position left of the shutter release. Still no word on price, but expect this one not to fall far from its predecessor's $399 MSRP.
Pentax confirms Optio I-10, H90, and E90 budget-friendly shooters
With a couple of leaks to get our mouths watering, Pentax has at last confirmed its new trio of Optio cameras: the I-10 (pictured), H90, and E90. The SLR-inspired I-10 sports a 5x zoom, 12.1 megapixel sensor, 2.7-inch LCD and 720p / 30fps video capture. There's also optical image stabilization, smile capture, and face detection to round out the feature set -- not bad for a $300 camera. Meanwhile, the similarly classy, 80s-inspired H90 checks most of the same boxes (including HD video, 12.1 megapixel stills and 5x zoom) with a $180 pricetag -- we can only guess its sacrifices involve a downgraded lens, sensor or general sense of class. Finally, the E90 throws off all classic pretension and does up 10 megapixels, 3x zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD for a mere $100. No optical stabilization here, but the 6400 ISO and Digital Shake Reduction mode should help out a little bit. All three cameras ship next month. PR is after the break. %Gallery-83857%
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.
Samsung TL210 and TL205 bring DualView to entry level shooters
Most manufacturers have yet to offer even one camera with a front-facing LCD, but that hasn't stopped Samsung from adding two more models to its growing range. Having started the DualView antics with its TL220 and 225 variants, Sammy is now augmenting the line with the TL205 and 210 which, in spite of their lower numbering, possess a feature the older cams do not. Using the new hardware, you'll be able to compose video as well as stills on the 1.5-inch front LCD, an added bit of functionality that should go over well with the target audience of party-loving hipsters. The TL210 also boasts optical image stabilization, a larger back-mounted display (3 inches versus 2.7), better optical zoom (5x versus 3x), and higher-res video recording (720p versus 640 x 480) than its junior sibling, though the two shooters share a 12MP CCD sensor. They do lose out on the haptic feedback touchscreens of their elder brethren, but that should make it easier for Samsung to price the new TL models aggressively when they're released in March this year. Then again, if you really want the cheapest of the cheap, you can grab one of Samsung's entirely unremarkable new SL600 or SL50 variants, whose PR blurb you can check out after the break together with more on the TL hardware. %Gallery-81303% %Gallery-81304%
Samsung's WiFi-enabled CL80 adds touch of AMOLED to 14MP sensor
Samsung's AMOLED obsession continues unabated as it has just taken the official wraps off the 3.7-inch touchscreen-equipped CL80. Already well detailed in an earlier leak, this shooter crams a 7x optical zoom lens plus WiFi and Bluetooth antennae inside one of those unreasonably thin enclosures that are all the rage these days. It's the twenty-teens now, so naturally you get a jumbo 14.2 megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization as well as a 720p movie mode. Coming out this spring, the CL80 has already garnered a 2010 CES Innovation Award, but if you can settle for a 3.5-inch conventional LCD and do without the wireless options, Samsung will sell you the otherwise identical TL240 at a presumably more affordable price point this February. Dive past the break for the full PR and specs. %Gallery-81298%
Canon debuts A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A495 and A490 low-end shooters
It might not be glamorous, but if a $110 camera is all you can afford -- or all you'd trust your kid with -- then it suddenly becomes of utmost importance. The new crop of A-series cameras fits such a bill, with the 12 megapixel, 4x zoom, optical image stabilized PowerShot A3100 IS in the "high end" at $180, followed by the 10 megapixel A3000 IS at $150; 10 megapixel, 3.3x zoom A495 at $130; and similarly specced A490 at $110. The differences between the A495 and A490 are muddled, outside of color choices and fewer scene selections. The Two A3000 cameras sports 2.7-inch screens and recharageable lithium-ion battery packs (a first for A-series cameras), with the A490 units going for 2.5-inches and trotting out the AAs. All four shooters should be out sometime in late February. %Gallery-81500%
Ricoh GR Digital III adds splash of blue for Stussy Special Edition
If Ricoh's classically attired GR Digital III filled your conservative heart with joy, you may want to look away now. Fashion brand Stussy is celebrating its forthcoming 30th anniversary by partnering with Ricoh to offer a Special Edition run of the GRD III. Limited to 500 units, these cameras will be almost identical to the original, save for the luminous blue highlights and the use of Stussy's font. Still, if you're into limited production runs or just can't get over the awesomeness of having XXX imprinted on your camera -- maybe you're from Amsterdam -- you can grab one in early February for ¥99,750 ($1,100). Hey, nobody said being ultracool was going to be cheap. One more pic after the break.
Leica X1 review digs deep, can't find value
The Leica X1 is a lovely little camera and, as we've seen, it can take some stunning shots. Now it's been given a full examination in a review big enough to match the thing's decidedly over-sized asking price of $2,000. Over 28 pages dpreview attempts to verify that this machine has the performance to match that MSRP, and the news is not particularly good. The Leica does well enough, particularly when it comes to delivering high-quality images even at high ISO settings -- a major stumbling block for most compacts -- but it didn't deliver performance that significantly trumps the Panasonic GF1, which costs less than half as much and has the added bonus of capturing HD video. Value proposition? Hardly, but a solid performer if your disposable income and aesthetic needs greatly outweigh your common sense.
Sony Snowflake DSC-TX1 comes with engraved holiday spirit
For a limited time only -- and you should be able to guess how long that is -- Japanese SonyStyle customers can order up the TX1 in the especially wintry attire you see above. Already available in a choice of five colors, the cam will also let you choose between black, silver and pink for the engraved models, and we also hear these snowflakes are part of a wider range of engraved designs. Options titled Safari, Race, and Heart are also available, and you can even add your own message to the front, or just tag it with your name if you're feeling narcissistic. Either way, you can see the other color options after the break, or try out all the different looks using the interactive skinning tool at the source link.
Nikon Coolpix S70 review: excellent spec, but mediocre image quality
We'll admit we save our Nikon excitement for the sort of gear that comes with "bad mother" stitched into its casing, but sometimes even our jaded souls can get intrigued by a compact. This particular slimline unit has an OLED touchscreen display, with the additional inclusion of multitouch and gesture support, which already gets it right up to speed on the latest trends. With a 5x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor, and 720p/30fps video, it's also no slouch on the spec sheet, but reviewers at Photography Blog found a few shortcomings. The Nikon S70 is said to be overly reliant on the 3.5-inch touch display for controls, and although the camera is both thin and ultrafast to start up, those benefits come at the greatest cost of all: image quality is only average, and noise handling is poor even at base ISO. We'll file this one in our "vivacious but vapid" archive while you busy yourself with reading the full review.
Ricoh GXR now official, generates sample images and early impressions
That Ricoh GXR camera system we saw yesterday has today become official, and dpreview have gotten on the case to provide an early preview and a set of sample images taken with the shooter. The novelty to this new setup is in the so-called lens units, which contain both a lens and an appropriately matched sensor inside a sealed casing. This precludes dust from getting in where it doesn't belong and provides a tailored pairing of optics and electronics. The body, in spite of not doing much -- zoom motors plus aperture and shutter mechanisms are all handled within the lens unit -- is built out of a magnesium alloy, and its major attraction will be a good control scheme allied to excellent ergonomics, according to dpreview. What you're getting then, is a competitor to Micro Four Thirds that's smaller in size, but larger in price. Sounds about right. Read - Press release Read - dpreview preview Read - Sample image galleries Read - Comparison shots vs. the Panasonic GF1
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 scores mixed reception
By now you should be thoroughly familiar with Sony's Party-shot-loving and almost unreasonably svelte TX1 compact shooter. Its headline features -- 720p movie mode and better low light performance courtesy of the Exmor R sensor -- have now been put to the test and we're here with the scorecard ready to spill the results. Reassuringly, all reviewers found image quality to be excellent for the camera's size class, and the TX1 even outperformed its peers by keeping noise comfortably in check all the way up to ISO 800. A 1cm (or 0.4-inches for you heretics) Macro mode was another highlight, though criticisms did rain down on issues of lens distortion, a fiddly touchscreen menu that was too prone to accidental activation, and an uncompetitive price point. Of course, your biggest draw here might still be the optional (and spendy) party dock, but the thorough reviews below at least give you the chance to pretend like you're buying this camera for the image quality alone. Read - Photography Blog review Read - Wired review Read - Imaging Resource review Read - Electric Pig review
