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T-Mobile announces myTouch 4G Slide, aims to take smartphone photography to new heights
Well, we'd seen plenty of pictures of T-Mobile's new myTouch 4G Slide over the past couple of weeks, and now it's official. T-Mo officially pulled the wraps off its newest handset, and it's packing a 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and a 3.7-inch WVGA Super LCD screen. As for software, the slick slider comes with some tasty Gingerbread slathered in Sense 3.0. There's also an 8-megapixel shooter that does low-light photos with a wide-aperture lens capable of f2.2 -- just like that new Nokia N9 that has us all hot and bothered. The camera also has burst mode for snapping rapid fire photos, takes HDR pictures, and does 1080p videos, too. It's slated for a July release, so we won't have to wait much longer until we can indulge our inner Ansel Adams. Such fantastic smartphone photography is all yours for $199.99 on a two year contract, and there's a video of the phone and a smattering of other details in the PR after the break.
AMP camera records 1080p HDR video, you probably can't have one
We've already seen cameras that let you pretend you live in a radioactive apocalypse shoot HDR video, combining overexposed and underexposed images into one surreal composite. But so far, that kind of dystopian trippiness has been relegated to experiments and rigs using two lenses. But here we have AMP, a portable-enough five-pound camera that splits the light into three sensors, giving it a range of 17.5 stops to "reveal reality" in our drab, incomplete lives. The single-lens camera shoots 1080p video at 24fps or 30fps, records raw, uncompressed data to an SSD, and works with Nikon F-Mount-compatible lenses. To give you some perspective on the amount of sheer storage required, AMP promises a 256GB SSD can hold 30-plus minutes of footage, with 24fps video consuming less space than the 30 fps variety. It'll be available later this summer for some unknown sum, but not as a mass-produced product. Rather, it'll end up in the hands of a select few prosumers who add themselves to a waiting list. Assuming you won't be one of the chosen, you can get your fill of reality in a pair of demo videos after the break.
Sony licenses Dolby's HDR tech to make brighter, better Bravia HDTVs in the future
Ever since BrightSide first showed off its Extreme Dynamic Range displays that claim to display luminance throughout the entire range of vision back in 2005, we've been waiting for the technology to overtake current LCDs. The years have passed and a after being purchased by Dolby all we've had to show for it so far is a slightly smaller bezel and a handful of reference displays for professionals from Sim2. That could turn around though, now that Dolby has licensed the technology to Sony to make BRAVIA LCD HDTVs with. Of course, so far Sony hasn't done much with its implementation of OLED and after six years we're cautious to get too excited before actual products are announced, but we could be in for some much better looking displays very soon. Check the press release after the break for details or slick the link to Sim2 below for more explanation on just what this technology is and why you should look forward to it.
Nikon D5100 impressions, head-to-head with D7000
Nikon has stirred up the camera crowds once again with its newly released D5100, filling the industry with the buzz of a new high-resolution articulating screen. In terms of consumer DSLR options, the D5100 has taken on the role of the mid-range model in Nikon's product line between the D3100 and the D7000 and we think it assumes the part rather nicely. In terms of price, the D5100 fits right in as well, fetching an MSRP of $900 (vs. $700 and $1600, respectively for the two aforementioned camera kits). Of course, the D7000 lands you the better 18-105 f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR lens, a larger and brighter viewfinder, built-in focus motor, weather-proof sealing, and a few other internal upgrades. But don't judge too quickly, because we've had some time to play with Nikon's latest creation and the D5100 can certainly shoot along with the big boys of consumer cameras -- read on past the break for our impressions and comparisons with the D7000. %Gallery-121549%
Nikon D5100 and ME-1 external mic coming April 21st, we go hands-on (video)
Okay, so Nikon kind of spoiled the surprise with this one, but we can now enlighten you with the full details of its upcoming midrange (or "advanced beginner" as Nikon calls it) DSLR refresh. The D5100 takes the spot of the venerable D5000, but follows the previous generation's recipe for success pretty closely. The D5000 was a stripped-down D90 in a simpler, smaller package that came with an articulating LCD, and the D5100 just so happens to feature the same mighty 16.2 megapixel sensor as the D7000 (Nikon's current high-end consumer DSLR) augmented with a flipout screen. Having the D7000's internals helps the new shooter churn out 1080p video at 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps, depending on your preference for up to a maximum of 20 minutes. The D5000 is only capable of five-minute bursts of 720/24p video and isn't able to continually autofocus, which the D5100 can. The D5100 also betters its predecessor in terms of physical fitness, coming in at a healthy 10 percent lighter and smaller, while a good number of the physical controls have been repositioned in order to allow for a new horizontal opening mechanism. That'll be a well appreciated tweak for tripod users. The new screen's also 17 percent thinner, we're told, and steps up to a 3-inch diagonal with a 920k-dot resolution. Solid stuff. After the break you'll find a full spec sheet along with some video action with the D5100. Pricing for this camera is set at $800 / €777 / £670 for the body only or $900 / €904 / £780 for the body plus an 18-55mm VR kit lens. The ME-1 external mic introduced alongside it -- did we not mention the D5100 has an external mic input -- will cost $180 / €139 / £120 and both are expected in stores on April 21st. %Gallery-120375% %Gallery-120376% %Gallery-120374%
Casio's Tryx pocket camera takes a stand (literally) alongside new Exilim lineup
How do you stand out in the world of cameras? Casio thinks it's got quite the looker with its upcoming Tryx. The 12.1 megapixel shooter sports what the company's calling Exilim Engine HS, which equates to 1080p 30 frames per second video, up to 240fps (at 432 x 320 resolution) slow-motion, and various HDR and panorama options. there's also a 3-inch touchscreen LCD, but the biggest draw here is the swiveling enclosure that serves as a stand for setting up just the right shot. We got an early glimpse at a non-functional prototype, and the size is definitely interesting -- we still need to see it in action, though. Price is a penny shy of $250 and shipping date's April 2011. But of course that's not the whole story, and Casio's camera lineup is, surprisingly, not as mind-numbingly large as you might expect. Going down the list (at least as far as price is concerned), we'll start with the EX-ZR100, which also has a 12.1MP Engien HS with dual core processors, 1080p 30fps video, 12.5x optical zoom, up to 1,000fps burst fire (224 x 64 resolution), HDR, and the ability to "leverage the camera's full optical zoom and capture digital still images with high-speed burst shooting (10 megapixel), all while recording video," or so the company brags. It's coming March for $299.99, and if you remember its brother the ZR10, that one's due out September for $249.99. If battery's your bigger worry, you can get "at least 1,000 photos" on a single Li-Ion charge from the 16.1MP EX-H30 with 720p HD video (March 2011 for $249.99). Finally, budget-minded folk get the EX-ZS10 ($119.99) and EX-ZS5 ($99.99). Both do 14.1MP shots with 5x optical zoom, but the former does 720p while the latter only records VGA video. March is the date for those two. You know the drill: pictures below, press release after the break. %Gallery-112330% %Gallery-112332%
TrueHDR for iPhone updates and improves photo quality
HDR (high dynamic range) photos are getting a lot of buzz now, especially since Apple built HDR capabilities into the iPhone 4. While the official Apple implementation is pretty good, I still suggest photographers take a look at third party offerings which have more options, and in my opinion, some of which do a better job. TrueHDR today updated its US $1.99 app, and added a "Natural" mode, which makes the colors more realistic and reduces noise. The developers claim the natural mode uses new image processing techniques that have been written using all new programming. Note: TrueHDR is on sale for $0.99 through December 4th. The app allows you to take an image in fully automatic mode, semi-automatic and manual. I used all the modes, but preferred manual to select my light and dark points. Read on to see why. %Gallery-108601%
RED Scarlet gets HDRx capability, $1,000 price hike, and 'slight delay'
Two bits of bad news, one bit of good, folks. First with the latter: RED is putting HDRx in its upcoming Scarlet camera. No, not quite the halo-inducing HDR you're probably thinking of, this is better. Got that? Good, now for the lesson in TANSTAAFL: the upgrade is going to add about $1,000 to the Scarlet's eventual price tag, and additionally, there'll be a "slight delay" in the program. Just hang in there, and maybe grip your Mysterium X a little tighter tonight. No, not that tight, you don't want to break it.
RED shows off some EPIC HDRx test footage
That's EPIC, mind you, not necessarily epic. Sure, Red's experiment in HDR video looks like it'll be a help to filmmakers that want the power / flexibility of RAW in post and some tools to war against motion blur, but so far they aren't showing any of that ultra-surreal HDR stuff we known so well from Flickr. What's that you say? You don't want all your videos to look like they're populated by radioactive creatures on a planet with a dying sun? You disappoint us, person. Go to your room. EPIC can shoot up to 18 stops of dynamic range in motion, with an "HDR" mode for in camera processing and an "HDRx" mode (seen here) for manipulation in post. Hit up the source link for the full res download and in-depth discussion about the tech, or hit below the fold for an embedded copy of the vid. [Thanks, Andrew F.]
Casio reveals Exilim EX-Z2300 and EX-ZR10 point-and-shoots, sells HDR hard
Casio's Exilim EX-H20G and EX-Z16 certainly stole the spotlight in the company's press conference here at Photokina, but a couple of other point-and-shoots managed to sneak out simultaneously over in Tokyo. Unfortunately, neither the Exilim EX-Z2300 nor the EX-ZR10 will be making a stateside debut, but those situated in continents not named North America may certainly be interested. The former of the two utilizes a 14.1 megapixel sensor, a 3-inch rear LCD (960 x 480 resolution) and a 5x optical zoomer, with other specifications including an SD / SDHC card slot, 34.9MB of inbuilt memory, 720p video recording, an ISO range from 50 to 3200, CCD-shift image stabilization and a rechargeable battery good for around 580 shots. Moving on to the ZR10 (not to be confused with Pentax's similarly named RZ10), this one is Casio's HDR baby. During the company's presser, executives went on (and on) about how wunderbar the camera's inbuilt HDR ART function was, and honestly, the images that were being displayed were indeed pretty fanciful. The point-and-shoot relies on a back-illuminated 12.1 megapixel sensor, the Exilim Engine HS, 28mm 7x zoom lens, an automatic panorama option and a newfangled burst mode that enables up to 30 shots of 10 megapixel images to be taken, with high-speed burst shooting at a maximum speed of 40 shots per second. Better still, the company has upped the video resolution here to 1080p, while also throwing in an SD / SDHC / SDXC card slot, ISO range of 100 to 3200 and a rechargeable battery. No one's talking pricing, release dates nor release regions just yet (aside from shunning America, of course), but we'll be sure to update just as soon as those facts and figures hit our desk. Oh, and we did manage to score a few precious seconds with this guy here in Köln, and it's exceedingly slim given the feature set. We can't speak for the image and video quality first-hand, but based on what was shown and the aesthetic that we witnessed, we'd say the ZR10 has a bright future ahead of it. %Gallery-102764% %Gallery-102765%
Pentax K-5 brings 16.2MP sensor, 'much faster' AF, and enhanced HDR to midrange DSLR party
Photokina is just about getting started over in Germany today, and Pentax has grabbed the opportunity to unveil its next K-series shooter nice and early. The new K-5 looks exactly as a leak earlier this month suggested, meaning it's an almost identical brother to the weather-resistant K-7. Of course, the big changes are taking place within, with a new 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor -- said to be equivalent in performance to the one in the 645D -- a 100 to 12800 ISO range, 7fps burst mode, much-improved 11-point autofocus, and an overhauled HDR mode. ISO can also be jacked up to 51200 with a custom function, but we wouldn't expect to get the finest imagery out of that. Other specs include a 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD around the back, 100 percent viewfinder coverage, 1080/25p video, and (sadly) only SDHC memory card compatibility -- there'll be no SDXC action for the big spenders among us.%Gallery-102734%
The HDR race continues as TrueHDR gets updated
We've been keeping a close eye on the race for the best HDR (high dynamic range) photo app for the iPhone. In my latest survey, I advised that progress would be fast as paid apps move to compete with the free Apple HDR software, and that's what's happened. TrueHDR, a US$1.99 app, has been updated to add a fast Autocapture mode and a SemiAuto mode (where you can drag the exposure control points around to get the best picture). I thought it was worth another quick look in order to see how the updated TrueHDR compares to Pro HDR ($1.99) and the built-in iPhone 4 camera (with and without the HDR processing). %Gallery-101973%
HDR video accomplished using dual 5D Mark IIs, is exactly what it sounds like
Are you ready for a wave of HDR to crash over the consumer electronics industry, leaving nothing but oversaturated photos and full-to-the-brim Flickr groups in its wake? We've got a sneaky suspicion that Apple's inclusion of HDR in the iPhone is one of those telling warning signs that you ignore at your own risk, and now we've got HDR video to cower from behind our fast-aging current gen devices. As you might expect, HDR video looks just like HDR stills (an underexposed and an overexposed image combined into one), except in motion. The effect has been accomplished by Soviet Montage Productions, who used two Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLRs and a beam splitter, which allows each camera to look at the exact same subject, to accomplish the effect. They're short on details on the post-processing end, but we're sure there will be "an app for that" before too long. Sample is after the break. [Thanks, Mike]
HDR photo hands-on with iPhone 4 and iOS 4.1
I've never used one of the HDR apps, so I was eager to try out this new feature using iOS 4.1 on my iPhone 4. Launching the camera now gives you an HDR option at the top of your screen. It's automatically set to off. When you toggle the option on, it will automatically switch the camera flash to off. Using HDR will provide you with two shots -- one normal shot and one with HDR utilized. For my test subjects I used: A shot of a window from a few feet away. A shot of a window standing at the window. A dark shot using the cat lounging next to the iMac as a model A well-lit shot using one of the other cats, who happened to claim a kitchen cabinet as his own, as a model. The most noticeable difference came from the window shot taken a few feet away. As seen above, the normal shot has the outside areas overexposed while you can clearly see the apartment building across from mine -- including some detailed areas -- in the HDR shot. This shot was taken about eight feet from the window.
iOS 4.1 is live, available to download right now
If you can just put down Angry Birds for one minute and plug your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod touch 3rd generation, or iPod touch 4th generation into iTunes, you should be in for a pleasant non-surprise: iOS 4.1 is finally out and ready for your consumption. It's not a huge update, but Game Center is an exciting addition (for the few, proud devices that are getting it), and we're sure your face will be happy to stop getting accused for iPhone 4 hang-ups with the long overdue proximity sensor fix (shots of the changelog are after the break). Let us know how 4.1 is treating you in comments below.
Apple announces the release of iOS 4.1
During today's press conference, Steve Jobs announced the release of iOS 4.1. The new operating system for iPhone and iPod touch comes with the following features: High Dynamic Range photos: The phone will take three photos in rapid succession -- one at what the phone thinks is the normal image, one underexposed and the third overexposed. The image is then combined to create the high dynamic image. Mel Martin demonstrated the power of this type of program in July. Bug fixes including those relating to the proximity sensor, Bluetooth and the iPhone 3G. High-definition video upload over Wi-Fi. TV show rentals and purchase Game Center debut The OS will be available next week through iTunes.
Sony Alpha A580 and A560 shoot AVCHD 1080i or MP4 video
Just a few days after seeing the Alpha A580 and A560 leak out onto the DSLR stage, here we are with the official word from Sony. As followup to the Alpha A550, both the 16.2 megapixel A580 and 14.2 megapixel A560 with new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensors and the latest Bionz image processors, capable of 7fps continuous shooting and capturing video with stereo audio in both AVCHD 1920x1080 60i or MP4 (QuickTime Motion JPEG) formats, the latter being better suited for consumer-oriented video editing software. Other commonalities are a new 15-point phase-detection autofocus, 3-inch articulating LCD with new Focus Check Live View mode, 100 - 12,800 ISO ranges, support for Memory Stick Pro Duo and SDHC/SDXC cards, and an optical viewfinder with 95 percent frame coverage. Wait, there's more: both cams also feature 3D sweep panorama that can be played back on 3D televisions and a refined Auto HDR mode that combines a burst of three frames into a single ultra-realistic image. The A580 will be available in October for €900 while the A560 will land in the first quarter of 2011 for €800.%Gallery-100225%
Sony Alpha A55 and A33 official: translucent mirror, Full HD video, continuous autofocus
We told you August 24 would be a significant day for Sony, and sure enough, the company has let the translucent mirror cat out of the bag nice and early today. The A55 and A33 offer Sony's brand spanking new Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows for such fine things as continuous phase-detect autofocus while shooting at up to 10fps (7fps on the A33) or recording Full HD AVCHD video. A newly developed 15-point autofocus system is also included, with 16.2 and 14.2 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensors for the A55 and A33, respectively. Both shooters come with a fully articulated, 920k-dot, 3-inch LCD screen, while 3D panoramas, automated HDR shot creation, and an Auto+ mode fill out the software goodies. Prices are set at $750 for the A55 in October and $650 for the A33 in September -- you can figure out if they're worth it by checking out the early previews below.
Canon PowerShot S95, the SD4500 IS, and SX130 IS play the low-light, HD video cards
As camera makers shift from touting megapixels to low-light and HD video recording performance, in steps a trio of point-and-shoot cameras from Canon -- the PowerShot S95 pictured above and the SD4500 IS and SX130 IS both pictured after the break. The S95 update ($399.99 in late August) to last year's S90 combines Canon's DIGIC 4 image processing, a 10-megapixel high-sensitivity CCD sensor, and wide f/2.0 lens to enhance image quality and reduce noise at high ISO levels without resorting to a flash. It features a new high dynamic range (HDR) mode, 720p video recording, and mini HDMI for throwing that video up to the living room flat screen. the S95 is also the first PowerShot to feature Hybrid IS image stabilization to help with macro shots. The SX130 IS ($249.99 in August), meanwhile, offers a 12.1 megapixel CMOS and 12x optical zoom lens that relies on optical image stabilization to keep things stable. A 3-inch LCD, 720p video mode, and Miniature, Fisheye, Poster, and Super Vivid creative modes. Rounding things out is the Power SD4500 IS with 10x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, and a 1080p video mode with Dynamic IS that helps further stabilize the video while the shooter is in motion -- a first for a digital ELPH. Canon's even slapped in a 240fps super slow motion mode (at an unspecified resolution) from Casio's bag of tricks. Expect it to hit retail in September for $349.99.
TrueHDR for iPhone updated for Retina Display and iPhone 4 camera
HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography isn't for everyone, but it can really help when taking pictures with extreme shadow or light. HDR images basically combine two or more pictures taken at different exposures. Using a process called tone mapping, you get a new image that displays more detail in the darker areas and restrains the areas that are too bright. TrueHDR for the iPhone has been updated to support the full resolution of the iPhone cameras, both front and back. It now supports the Retina Display, and claims better image alignment and more natural looking results. I've reviewed the original version and today I gave the new version a try. The updated app works as advertised, although I was a little short of dramatic scenery for my tests. The added resolution and quality of the iPhone 4 camera makes a welcome difference. %Gallery-99750%
