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BenQ intros six-megapixel DC-E610 / DC-C610 shooters for Europe
Not too long after gifting its Joybooks with Vista, BenQ is unveiling a duo of ho hum six-megapixel shooters for the European market. Both compact digicams sport a classic, silver finish, ISO ratings of 80 to 400, and SD support, but the slightly thicker E610 gets a more fleshed-out set of specs than its admittedly lacking (albeit thinner) sibling. The E610 comes in with a 6.1-megapixel CCD sensor, Pentax lens, 3x optical zoom, VGA video mode at 30fps, "shake-free" operation, 2.4-inch LCD monitor, USB 2.0 connectivity, a rechargeable Li-ion cell, and PictBridge support to boot. The less-featured C610 gets a six-megapixel sensor, a fixed 42-millimeter lens, two-inch LTPS LCD screen, 320 x 240 resolution movie mode, AA-battery support, USB 1.1 connectivity, and a presumably lower pricetag to compensate. Currently, no information regarding price is available, but you can reportedly pick either of these uninspiring point-and-shoots up in Europe right now.[Via LetsGoDigital]
Casio EX-V7 zooms up to 7x without breaking a sweat
It's been a few months since we saw the latest EXILIM, Casio's line of super-tiny shooters. But this is the time of year when nearly every product line is getting updated, and fortunately for us, Casio didn't disappoint. Enter the EX-V7 digicam, a 7.2 megapixel number with a 7x optical zoom (yes, you read that right -- this is a 38mm to 266mm equivalent in a tiny little ultracompact) kept nicely tucked inside the body. Furthermore, the EX-V7 apparently has new software that will lighten up aspects of a darkened photo, which is a feature that not every photographer will want to use -- but surely your non-techie grandmother might appreciate it. We're still waiting on the sticker price and the release date, so just sit tight for now.
Samsung stuffs PMP functionality inside its i70 digicam
If any one company had a lot of steam to blow off today, not to mention a lot of new kit to unveil, it was Samsung. (Potentially) rounding out the barrage of Blu-ray players, printers, DVD recorders, and just about everything else we could imagine is a svelte new digicam that pulls double duty as a PMP. The 7.2-megapixel i70 camera sports a sleek, silver / black motif, 3x zoom, three-inch LCD monitor, and a unique sliding cover that reveals a 9-button user interface when opened. Additionally, it sports that oh-so-handy intelligent face recognition feature that's (thankfully) becoming quite a common feature among new cams. Sliding away from the photography side a bit, the i70 also mimics a basic PMP, playing back MP3s, video files, and even text files while on the go. Couple that with a MPEG4 720 x 480 resolution (at 15fps) movie mode and you've got a fairly capable device that still fits the subcompact mold. Of course, Samsung didn't stop to let us know how much this sucka would run you, nor how long we'd have to wait to see it in stores, but surely we won't have to hold out too much longer.[Via LetsGoDigital]
Samsung touts six still cameras, to be released this spring
Samsung's been pretty busy as of late, releasing everything from a new RFID fridge to the new i760 slider. But don't think that it was skimping on the digital camera side of things, no sir. Good ol' Sammie's got a sextet of shooters slated for release this spring (sans pricing on all of 'em, sadly) -- so let's get started. First up at the top of the heap is the S1050 (pictured), a point-and-shoot weighing in at 10.1 megapixels, 5x optical zoom lens, 3-inch screen, SD slot, 1600 ISO and a shutter speed that gets all the way up to 1/2000th of a second. It can also shoot video anywhere from 160 x 128 to 800 x 600 at 20fps. Moving along, we've got the S850, which packs its 8.1 megapixel lens and a 5x optical zoom and the same maximum ISO and shutter speed as its older bro. It'll also do video, as expected, from 320 x 240 to 800 x 592 at 30fps, except the highest setting forces a drop down to 20 fps. Third of six is the S730, a seven megapixel shooter with a 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, 1600 ISO and 1/2000th of a second shutter speed. But don't think that just 'cause this model has a smaller number that Samsung is lowering the video features on this bad boy -- you'll get a respectable 640 x 480 resolution at 30fps. Fourth on our list is the L700: it's an awful lot like the S730 as far as specs go (they're identical), however, from what we can tell the L700 has a little bit more of a compact design. Also in the L line is the L73, a "sleek and pocket-sized" cam that comes with a seven megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 1600 ISO and that same shutter speed that we've seen so far. This one also offers Sammie's "Face Recognition Technology" which will adjust for optimal image quality in portraits. Bringing up the rear is the S630, a six megapixel camera with a 2.5-inch screen and two video settings in 320 x 240 and 640 x 480 at 30fps. Want more details? Sorry, we suppose we'll have to just wait until spring to suss out supplementary specifics. While you're waiting, be sure to peep some snaps of the cams, respectively, on the next page. Read - S1050Read - S850Read - S730Read - L700Read - L73Read - S630
Kodak shoots out 8 and 10-megapixel EasyShare V803, V1003
The EasyShare lineup swells by two as Kodak tosses a couple more into the fray: on top of the entry-level C653 that slipped out a couple of days ago, the V803 (pictured above) and V1003 are rolling out in 8- and 10-megapixels, respectively. Both feature 3x optical zoom, 1600 ISO, 2.5-inch LCDs, 32MB memory on board, 30fps MPEG-4 video at VGA resolution, and a menu feature for storing your preferred flash, white balance, ISO and resolution settings between your Britney and Brangelina photoshoots. You've got a plethora of corporate "creative" colors to choose from across all three new models, from "silver essence" to "cosmic blue" and "golden dream," which, according to our crackshot palette translators, will bear a striking resemblance to "yellow." If you're a member of the female demographic pastel-conscious club, may we suggest "pink bliss"?
Norcent announces DCC-1025 / DCS-760 digicams, slew of storage accessories
Hot on the heels of Norcent unveiling its forthcoming lineup of HDTVs, the company has announced that we'll be seeing its photogenic side as well, as the DCS-760 ($199) and DCC-1025 digicams make their debut at CES along with a slew of storage-related accessories. The 10.1-megapixel DCC-1025 ($179; DC-1020 pictured) reportedly sports a "champagne colored, brushed metal finish," 2.5-inch "scratch-resistant" LCD monitor, 3x optical zoom (and 4x of the practically worthless digital variety), 14 pre-selected scene modes, red-eye reduction, 640 x 480 MPEG4 movie mode, NTSC / PAL compatibility, 32MB of internal memory, SD / MMC slot, and AV out to boot. The more compact DCS-760 features a seven-megapixel sensor, "high-end design," 15 scene modes, VGA movie mode, 2.5-inch LTPS monitor, and the same 3x optical zoom and SD / MMC slot as the larger sibling. Making sure your digicam is fully prepared for a long day of shooting, the firm is also unveiling its SD Duo, Micro SD Trio, and Micro SD Reader / Adapter; the SD Duo combines SD and USB support, while the Micro SD Trio adds microSD, and neither unit needs a card reader to interface with any USB-equipped PC. As if that weren't enough, it's also showing off a 1GB ($19.99) / 2GB ($29.99) USB Pen Drive that rocks a LED indicator light and a "twist to open" cap to curb that "missing lid" syndrome so often associated with flash drives. While the DCS-760 won't be available until the Spring, everything else is available right now, and will be out on display in just a few days at CES.Read - Norcent DCS-760Read - Norcent DCC-1025Read - Norcent SD Storage lineupRead - Norcent USB Pen Drive
Kodak quietly releases 6.1-megapixel EasyShare C653
Another month, another ho hum offering from Kodak. This time around it's an addition to the already loaded EasyShare lineup, as the 6.1-megapixel C653 joins the fray. Sporting a (somewhat) compact 3.5- x 2.6- x 1.4-inch enclosure, the point-and-shoot boasts a 2.4-inch LCD monitor, mediocre 3x optical zoom, 32MB of built-in memory, SD / MMC expansion slot, three pre-selected scene modes, panorama functionality, up to 1,250 ISO, and automatic red-eye reduction. Additionally, you can capture VGA movies at 10fps or QVGA clips at 20fps, and Kodak's Perfect Touch technology supposedly clears up your photos without a lot of effort on your part. You'll also find USB 2.0 connectivity and the company's EasyShare software bundled in, which supposedly helps the technologically disabled share and email photos without pulling what's left of their hair out. While there's clearly not a whole lot here to be proud of, at least the price is fairly reasonable, and those scouting a very run-of-the-mill shooter can pick up the C653 now for $129.95.[Via PhotographyBlog]
New "imaging machines" distinguish between grass and camouflage
While we've got robots that can sniff out faux wine, and cyclops cameras that distinguish between humans and blow-up dolls (saywha?), Dr. Andy Harvey's latest invention could actually prove useful in battle and on the operating table. Although he hasn't tied the latest rounds of DIY artillery to this technology, the camcorder-styled machine can reportedly "distinguish the world's best camouflage from real foliage," not to mention its ability to "spot buried landmines" and "hidden enemies." Developed in Edinburgh, the imaging machine could be toted by soldiers to tip them off to unusual patterns in the grass (like carefully painted iRobots) before they come too close, as it can supposedly "identify 30 times more colors than the human eye." Interestingly, it is possible that the technology could eventually be used to "detect forms of cancer that are currently hard to pick up." While £800,000 ($1.56 million) have already been invested by the Department for Trade and Industry and QinetiQ, we don't imagine this project slowing down anytime soon, and it looks to be just one more reason we ought to simply let robots do all the fighting, anyway.
Voigtlaender rebadges Premier offering, dubs it Vito 65
Premier should just start reselling its designs to ho hum resellers rather than spending the loot to brand its own products, as it seems to be the object of desire for companies like Ricoh and Voigtlaender. Nevertheless, Germany's own has rebadged the DM6365 and slapped a Vito 65 logo on it, but didn't bother tweaking the specs. Touting a 3.48- x 2.17- x 0.75-inch enclosure, this compact features a played-out six-megapixel CCD sensor, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 32MB of internal storage, SD slot, 30fps movie mode, 3x optical zoom, built-in red-eye reduction, USB 2.0 connectivity, and PictBridge compatibility. Per usual, Voigtlaender manages to pack a humdrum feature set into a fairly overpriced package, with the Vito 65 coming in at a less-than-attractive €199 ($265).[Via LetsGoDigital]
Fujifilm slaps US release date, price on Z5fd / FinePix S5 Pro
Fujifilm is apparently in the mood for spewing out much-anticipated launch details today, as both its face finding portable and S5 Pro DSLR are getting tagged with a US release date and price. The Z5fd has added the "face detection" moniker since we last saw it, but keeps the same 6.3-megapixel sensor, metal enclosure, trio of color schemes, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, i-Flash (flash that adapts to the environment), and "Blog Mode," which will automatically resize your photos for easy web posting while maintaining the original biggie. On the DSLR side, the FinePix S5 Pro is getting all official too, touting a 12.3-megapixel Super CCD SR Pro sensor, the company's own RP Processor Pro for "smoother tonality," ISO up to 3200, film simulation mode, and the obligatory face finding technology to boot. So if you're looking for a pocket-friendly digicam to come your way next March, the Z5fd will be landing for $229, while the upscale S5 Pro would make a lovely Valentine's Day gift if you're down with the $1,999 pricetag.Read - Fujifilm's Z5fdRead - Fujifilm's FinePix S5 Pro
Olympus E-400 DSLR review roundup
Sure, we all heard about how "small and light" this newfangled E-400 was supposed to be, but seeing it in its (relatively speaking) wee-sized glory sure put things in perspective. Olympus downsized its E-500, upped the resolution to match the bevy of competitors, and managed to include "the first anti-dust system" (Supersonic Wave Filter) reviewers at CameraLabs had ever tested "that proved genuinely effective." While we're always skeptical when there's high praise across the board, the E-400 truly seems like a solid offering through and through; its ease of use (in auto and manual modes), pocket-friendlier size, "excellent" image quality, and exceptional versatility seemed to deliver in all the areas that make or break a DSLR. Reviewers did mention that consumers may be immediately turned off by the somewhat higher pricetag, but noted that the "high quality" lens kit that accompanies this model actually offers "excellent value for the money." Moreover, it was nearly unanimous that the E-400 should've landed in place of the E-300 in order to seem "more revolutionary," and now faces an uphill climb in an attempt to dethrone the current kings of DSLR. Overall, however, reviewers couldn't find much to complain about in the results department, and noted that it made for an outstanding option if you're just now thinking about delving into this (admittedly wallet-draining) addiction hobby -- so if Olympus' latest has caught your eye, be sure to hit the read links below for the variety of opinions.Read - CameraLabs (85 out of 100; Highly Recommended)Read - TrustedReviews (9 out of 10) Read - DigicamReview (Highly Recommended)Read - DigitalCameraInfo ("Great, but too late.")
Nikon's entry-level D40 DSLR reviewed
We knew this bad boy was coming, we even got our grubby hands on the thing before it went public, and we've watched the D50s replacement finally get official all within the past few months. Now, however, the discerning folks over at ePhotoZine have subjected Nikon's latest entry-level DSLR to a bevy of tests and deemed it quite the worthwhile successor. Reviewers immediately praised the build quality and smaller size, noting that this was the first DSLR they could "actually get it in a coat pocket comfortably." Also, they were impressed with Nikon's decision to stick with the 6.1-megapixel sensor, insinuating that newcomers to the DSLR world would appreciate "the savings in both hard disc storage and processing speed," regardless of whether they even realized it. The crew found the D40 "easier to use" than its predecessor and admired the "useful additions" to in-camera abilities and menus, many derived from the more expensive D80 model. Noteworthy digs included the lack of a top LCD screen, a new battery that wouldn't play nice with others in the range, and the fact that it only supports SWM motor lenses. Overall, the D40 sports improvements "all in the right areas," and still provides a solid entrance into the endless world of DSLR shooting, and offers a great way to start wallowing out your savings account once you get addicted.[Via Digital Photography Blog]
Leica announces update plan for buggy M8 digicams
For Leica enthusiasts and digicam freaks alike, we're sure the day that uber-expensive M8 landed on your doorstep was one of pure elation -- or maybe not so much, depending on your luck. Turns out the nearly $6,000 piece of kit wasn't as refined and ready to shoot as the lofty pricetag may lead you to believe, but Lieca is apparently aiming to please those deep pocketed customers by offering up some quick fixes and a few bonus filters to boot. Folks suffering from "banding issues, mirror / ghosting effects, and IR sensitivity quirks" can register on the company's website by December 6th in order to have Leica contact you to set up a return. Unfortunately, this means your finicky M8 will be out of your palms for a few days (or weeks), but at least it'll come back with a "firmware upgrade" to eliminate the banding / ghosting problems, as well as "a basic kit of two UV / IR filters with diameters of your choice" to counteract the "faulty color rendering." While we aren't sure how long the gurus in Solms will hold your precious M8 captive, we do know the additional filters won't ship until February of next year, and if you're worried about picking up a buggy M8 as of now, Leica has assured us that all units shipping after November 27th will sport the internal upgrades right out of the box. [Thanks, Derek M.]
Voigtlaender pops out the Vitolux XM 7.0
Ze Germans are at it again, this time with another underwhelming offering that's sure to be forgotten almost as quickly as it was noticed. The Voigtlaender Vitolux XM 7.0 is a very run-of-the-mill 7-megapixel shooter, sporting a relatively compact 3.78- x 2.32- x 0.79-inch silver enclosure, three-inch monitor, 32MB of internal storage, SD slot, MPEG4 movie mode, and a thoroughly average 3x optical zoom. It also boasts USB 2.0 connectivity, AV out (NTSC / PAL-friendly), and PictBridge support. While the ho hum list of luxuries isn't exactly impressive, this wouldn't be a half bad backup if the price was right -- unfortunately, that's far from the case, as Voigtlaender somehow expects folks to throw down €299 ($384) to snag this "me too" offering.[Via LetsGoDigital]
Samsung's uber-stylish NV3 digicam / PMP reviewed
While we Americans were off celebrating Independence Day, Samsung partied by throwing down a new NV lineup of stylish digicams. The value-packed flavor, dubbed NV3, took a pocket-friendly design and crammed MP3 / XviD playback into a point-and-shoot camera. The blokes over at DigicamReview got their fingers around the sexy device, and they found that while it suffered from the same issues that most 7-megapixel compacts did (introducing red-eye, high noise inclusion, and soft detail), the PMP functionality was top notch and pricing was very reasonable to boot. Reviewers were quick to point out the "lower than expected detail, lack of color, and over-processed look" seen in test shots, but did praise the super macro mode in its astounding ability to focus on objects just one centimeter away. Moreover, the camera's 720 x 480 widescreen video mode (as well as the 30fps VGA mode) were "impressive," and the MP3 / XviD functions performed comparably to the video iPod. Touted as a "complete package," the crew was mildly pleased with the 2 hours, 10 minutes of battery life while watching video clips and 3 hours, 50 minutes they realized when streaming through tunes. Overall, the NV3 was dubbed an "excellent value" at around £165 ($315), especially if you're looking to consolidate your gadgets and don't mind "just average" quality in your backup camera.
Samsung unveils DMB-equipped digicam, plans HSDPA version
While there's WiFi-enabled digicams available en masse, and do-it-all devices that boast DMB playback seem to be popping up everywhere, Samsung is looking forward by planning to release a digital camera that sports either of the two (or hopefully both) functionalities. Samsung was already hoping to squeeze DMB / PMP-like features into point-and-shoot offerings last year, and now the company has finally unveiled its SDC-K50/D512S, "which shows free TV programs thanks to a built-in terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) tuner." The company touts its 2.5-inch LCD as being more effective at displaying television shows than the (generally) smaller cellphone screens available. Moreover, Samsung is hoping to roll out digicams with T-Login support, which would allow a USB HSDPA modem to reside in a small slot on its enclosure, enabling users to upload photos from anywhere in the world via the SK Telecom service. The dongles have already been released for desktops, laptops, and personal media players, but stuffing one in a digital camera could eliminate the oh-so-irksome need to find a PC (or a WiFi hotspot) in order to upload shots to the web.
Ricoh intros 7-megapixel Caplio RR730 point-and-shoot
While you're not likely to color us impressed with yet another humdrum 7-megapixel compact, Ricoh's Caplio RR730 offers decent specifications at an entry-level price for those still looking to get a digicam in their pocket. Picking up where the RR660 left off, this 3.5- x 2.4- x 1-inch camera boasts a 3x optical zoom (and 4x of the practically useless digital variety), 320 x 240 resolution movie mode, 6 built-in scene modes, and a macro mode that focuses on objects just 5-centimeters away. Additionally, it sports a 2.5-inch LCD, 32MB of internal storage capacity, SD slot, USB connectivity, and video output, and it gets its juice from a pair of AA batteries. So if you're in the market for a perfectly average point-and-shoot camera to put in your boss' stocking this year, the RR730 will reportedly hit later this month for just £130 ($248).[Via Pocket-Lint]
Sharp announces 12-megapixel sensor for compact digital cameras
We should really know by now, but you just can't convince everyone that more isn't always better. While we've already seen less-than-stellar results from the bevy of compact cameras touting unnecessarily large 10-megapixel sensors, Sharp is apparently preying on any remaining clueless consumers by unveiling a sure-to-be-disappointing 12-megapixel 1/1.7-inch sensor for wee cameras. The prodigiously small photosite (just 1.88 microns) generally means "less sensitivity, higher noise, and an even higher requirement on the lens optics" than current 2 micron models. Nevertheless, Sharp is hoping to ship these sensors en masse starting January 2007 at a cost of ¥7,500 ($64) each.[Via PhotographyBLOG]
Fujifilm's FinePix Z5: a slim 6.3 megapixel shooter with face finder
What is it about the combination of "z" and "5" that makes the likes of Casio, Samsung, Konica Minolta, etc choose it to lovingly adorn their products? Whatever it is, Fujifilm caught that, and the brown bug too with this, their take at the Z5. This latest in the FinePix Z-series of slim (19.4-mm) digicams arrives at the show with a 6.3 megapixel CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, likely worthless ISO 1600 sensitivity, 26MB of internal memory with xD expansion, and that FujiFilm face finder technology seen in their higher-end shooters. Oh, and it also ships with IrSimple for on-the-quick image transfers to like-equipped devices. Available in Japan starting early December for an undisclosed price.[Via Akihabara News]
Study: for most, all-in-one phones aren't
Hey, isn't the idea of a cameraphone to have the luxury of leaving your big, fat digicam at home? With a smartphone, isn't the PDA supposed to be history? And doesn't that iPod belong in the circular file now that you've picked up that fancy musicphone? According to a newly released study by In-Stat, phones with extra goodness packed in aren't prompting their owners to leave other devices behind. In fact, over half of multimedia phone owners are still toting a dedicated MP3 player, some 75% of smartphone users lug a PDA as well, and a staggering 80% of cameraphone owners "regularly" carry their digital camera. Will the latest generation of superphones like the Nokia N95 start to change attitudes, or is the concept of a true all-in-one device nothing more than a myth?[Via ZDNet]
