Image Stabilization
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Canon introduces first Hybrid Image Stabilization lens: EF 100mm Macro
Well, that was swift. Just 1.5 months after Canon got our camera juices flowing with its Hybrid Image Stabilizer technology, along comes the very first lens to incorporate it. Quietly announced alongside two other vanilla lenses and its EOS 7D, the 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is the first from the outfit to feature Hybrid IS. As you well know by now, said tech compensates for both angle and shift camera shake up to four shutter speed steps, and it's fully compatible with all EOS cameras. As you can likely tell from the title, this one's ideal for closeups and portrait-length telephoto shots, but you'll be paying through the nose in order to get it in your arsenal. In other words, you'll be parting with $1,049 come late September. Gotta pay for delectation, bub.[Via HotHardware]
Canon's Hybrid Image Stabilizer tech takes the blur out of your twist and shake
In the past few years image stabilization has gone from a big-money feature available only in the priciest of lenses to something of an afterthought in the most boring compacts. So, what's a high-priced lens to do if it wants to maintain its exclusivity? Why, invent a new flavor of stabilization, of course. Canon is introducing its Hybrid Image Stabilizer technology, set for inclusion in some mystery lens before the end of the year. It compensates for camera shake on two axes: rotationally and linearly, meaning you should be able to get smooth shots whether you're on the Tilt-a-Whirl or a wooden roller coaster. Canon isn't indicating just yet how much this new Hybrid IS lens will cost, or when other bits of glass will follow in its pixel-perfect footsteps, but is indicating it'll be included in "a wide range of products" -- we'd guess none will be cheap.[Via Photography BLOG]
BenQ offers up 10 megapixel E1000 point-and-shoot
With BenQ executives somewhat preoccupied with keeping their own asses out of jail, and the company's camera division having been turned over to Ability Enterprises at the end of June, it's hard to say who's really responsible for the latest camera to bear the troubled Taiwanese manufacturer's name. Whoever designed the 10 megapixel DC-E1000, though, seems to have done a pretty good job, taking a cue from the handsome design of the P860 and adding such desirable features as face tracking (up to nine people), a 3-inch LCD, and digital image stabilization. Other specs -- like the 3x optical zoom and claimed 1600 max ISO -- are certainly nothing groundbreaking, and we're assuming that pricing will reflect that fact when these go on sale in China later this month.[Via Let'sGoDigital]
NEC develops 8MP CMOS sensor for cameraphones
While LG's ambitious plans didn't exactly pan out in 2005, the idea of upping those megapixels in mainstream cameraphones sure is getting a lot of attention today. Shortly after Kodak announced its plan to unveil a five-megapixel iteration for future phones, NEC is hitting back with a development of its own. Apparently, the company is already shipping samples of a "system chip capable of processing cameraphone images at resolutions of up to eight-megapixels," which even includes "image stabilization circuitry as an option." Best of all, the CE131 sample device is priced at just ¥4,000 ($33), and hopefully that cost will diminish even further as mass production goes forward in October. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]
Panasonic's wide-angle Lumix DMC-FX30 gets reviewed
Panasonic's 7.2-megapixel Lumix DMC-FX30 doesn't hold any world records in terms of size or amenities, but the point-and-shoot does manage to offer up some fairly decent innards for a relatively modest price -- none of which matter if performance suffers. To find out just how worthy Panny's wide-angle, OIS-equipped snapper is of your cash, DigicamReview took it for a spin and threw in its two cents (er, pence). Interestingly, the device was generally hailed as an excellent choice for those in the market for a pocketable camera, as the highly-regarded Leica 3.6x optical zoom lens, effective image stabilization, versatile 2.5-inch LCD, logical menu structure, and respectable image quality all took home praises. The only real digs on the shooter came from high amounts of noise when shooting with a cranked ISO (and even some at ISO 100) and the inclusion of red-eye in some snapshots, but both negatives aren't strangers to the handheld camera realm. Overall, reviewers seemed overly giddy about the FX30, and while we'd certainly give Canon's SD800 IS a glance before plunking down on this wide-angled digicam, the low price of the Panasonic just might help make up your mind.
Sony's feature-packed Cyber-shot DSC-G1 reviewed
One might wonder if Sony packed a little too much into the relatively compact DSC-G1, but as we'd already seen, even the CNET review crew didn't really think so. The only noticeable digs were the slightly larger-than-usual frame and additional weight added on, and unfortunately, the "slow-going" WiFi wizardry. To its credit, the WiFi features did seem to elicit quite a bit of smiles once the initial kinks were worked out, and while they weren't crazy about the "narrow, slow zoom lens" per se, the image quality seemed on par. Additionally, the digicam's 3.5-inch LCD monitor was dubbed "a television" in an of itself thanks to the impressive resolution, and the 2GB of internal memory along with an additional Memory Stick expansion slot was also highly regarded. Another seemingly minor thumbs-up was given to this unit's ability to accept "drag-and-drop" music file transfers to play back on the built-in media player, which is a much appreciated departure from previous cams that forced users to rely on Sony's SonicStage software. Still, $600 isn't chump change for a pocket-based camera, so be sure and read up on the full skinny before throwing down on the (admittedly flashy) G1.[Thanks, Antipathy]
Olympus Stylus 1000 digicam gets reviewed
Olympus' Stylus 1000 quickly got lost in the mishmash of other digicams that the company unleashed alongside of it, but if you came away less than enthralled about the lower-end units of the bunch, fret not, as Imaging-Resource took time to single out the flagship device just for you. The ultracompact 1000 boldly proclaims its built-in Digital Image Stabilization care of a highly obvious sticker on the front of the enclosure, but reviewers found that the feature proved more like a gimmick, and deemed it quite the "disappointment." Nevertheless, the control interface, button layout, size, in-camera editing, and all-weather operation received a fair amount of praise, but the run-of-the-mill perks still didn't seem to outweigh the digs. Most importantly, the cam tended to produce "oversaturated colors and blow out highlights," didn't fare well in macro mode, and the paltry internal storage may as well have been excluded to save a few bucks. Still, the Stylus 1000 was dubbed the best of the lineup, but considering all the quirks that even this unit has, we'd highly recommend reading the in-depth analysis before plunking down your $400.[Via Digital Photography Blog]
Sony's DSC-H7 / DSC-H9 CyberShots get official, pack 15x optical zoom
If you're here for surprises, you're not apt to leave satisfied, but if you're interested in a few extra deets on Sony's latest duo of megazoom digicams, this is the spot. Set to replace the DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 just about one year after their respective releases, Sony once again did a horrendous job keeping the DSC-H7 and DSC-H9 on the low, but we're not complaining or anything. Anyways, future H7 / H9 owners can look forward to a Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens, 8.1-megapixel sensor, face detection technology, HDTV output, the ability to shoot up to 1/4000 of a second, Bionz processing engine (seen in the Alpha lineup), Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization, up to ISO 3200, and red-eye reduction. The H9 steps it up ever so slightly by adding a three-inch flip-up LCD (compared to the H7's 2.5-inch rendition) and Sony's own NightShot technology, which purportedly allows photographers to snap legible shots even in dark alleys. Notably, neither camera sports any kind of movie mode whatsoever, and those hoping to shoot in RAW will also be sorely disappointed, but if you're fine with those two oversights and the massive zoom tickles your stalking instincts, both cameras will be landing in April for $400 (DSC-H7) / $480 (DSC-H9). %Gallery-1827%
Fujifilm's Z5fd compact digicam arrives in pink
If there's ever a good time to locate a pink-clad gizmo to fit in with the surrounding holiday, that would be now. You latecomers or forgetful ones should greatly appreciate Fujifilm's pretty-in-pink Z5fd digital camera, which sports a six-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch monitor, face-finding abilities, and built-in image stabilization to boot. Moreover, you'll find 26MB of internal memory in case you don't have the cash to spring for an xD card right away, and the dual shot mode, iFlash, and 30fps movie mode should come in handy capturing the night out on the town. Possibly the best feature of this digicam (aside from the color) is its immediate availability, but you should probably scrounge up that $219.99 and make a run for it to beat the hordes of others having the same idea.[Via ChipChick]
Panasonic releases its DMC-L1 DSLR
Always looking to one-up its long-standing Japanese rival, Panasonic has gone and beaten Sony's first digital SLR -- the Alpha A100 -- to market with its own premiere DSLR -- the DMC-L1 -- which just became available today. As you'll probably recall, this 7.5 megapixel "Live MOS"-equipped shooter was developed in conjunction with Olympus, thus including that live preview 2.5-inch LCD that got us so jazzed up about the E-330, and ships with an optically-stabilized 14-50-millimeter Leica D Vario-Elmarit lens. And at $1,999, the Panasonic had better throw in a few extras if it wants to remain competitive, because the Sony, while not arriving with a lens in the box, will sport a higher-resolution 10.3 megapixel sensor at half the price of the L1.
Sony's 7.2 megapixel DSC-T30 reviewed
For the most part, Sony's latest ultra-compact member of the ultra-popular T-series line of digital cameras sounds like the perfect all-around point-and-shooter -- with a few important caveats. For starters, the DSC-T30 features a Carl Zeiss lens backed up by a 7.2 megapixel CCD, and Sony was gracious enough to toss in some optical image stabilization for steady hand-held shots even at slower shutter speeds. You also get a 3-inch display that fills nearly the entire backside of the camera, and that, according to Imaging Resource, performs much better than average in direct sunlight. For as low as $400, it would seem that this followup to the DSC-T9 should be unrivaled in the marketplace, but several non-minor flaws -- including heavy noise in low-light shots captured above ISO 200 and audible artifacts in some video clips -- would suggest that this model is not for everyone. Still, the small size, good overall photo quality, and superior battery life (400+ shots) are enough to make the T30 one of Imaging Resouce's coveted "Dave's Picks."[Via Photography Blog]
InvenSense shrinks gyroscopic chip for cameraphone image stabilization
Soon you may not be able to blame your crappy cameraphone pics on the quality of your handset's imaging equipment, thanks to a tiny new dual-axis gyroscope built using MEMS technology that will be employed for image stabilization on future, multi-megapixel phones. Built by San Jose's InvenSense Corp., the IDG-1000 is a single-chip silicon device as small as a baby's fingernail, or five times smaller than competing solutions based on so-called piezo-type technology. Volume shipments of the new chip are scheduled to begin this fall, so don't be surprised if you see one incorporated into Samsung or LG's next entrant into the ongoing battle for cameraphone resolution supremacy.[Via The Raw Feed and EE Times]
