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Hands-on with Nikon's new Coolpix lineup
Nikon has a raft of new Coolpix digicams at PMA to cover the range of shutterbugs, from "give me more options" to "just a shutter, please." For those who want some more options but just can't commit to a DSLR yet, there's the P60. You'll get to play around with 8.1-megapixels, 15 (!) scene modes, manual mode and 5x stabilized zoom. The heart of the Coolpix lineup belongs to the compact S550, S520 and S210 models. The S550 sports a 10-megapixel sensor and 5x zoom with electonic stabilization. The S520 has true optical stabilization attached to the 3x zoom optics and an 8-megapixel CCD. Finally, the S210 keeps the 8-megapixel sensor, but reverts to electronic stabilization. At the "easy" end of the spectrum is the L18 digicam, with 8-megapixel resolution, 3x zoom and a big 3-inch LCD; available in your choice of navy or ruby red.%Gallery-15025%
Hands-on with Canon's new PowerShot lineup
Lugging around a DSLR just isn't for everyone, and Canon's got the heart of the market covered with their Powershot digicams. The ELPH series has always focused on compact and stylish design, and the new 8-megapixel SD1100 IS is no exception. Small enough that you won't set off anyone's "photographer nearby" alarm, and you can even pick a color that blends with your wardrobe for more stealth; available in brown, pink, blue and champagne. Even quick snaps might turn out with the help of the image stabilization. A little less fashion minded (and less expensive) but no less capable are the A-series cams, the A590 IS, A580 and A470. We've spilled the details on these before, so check out the gallery if you're looking for your next P&S.%Gallery-15024%
Hands-on with the Nikon D60 DSLR
It seems like big boys Nikon and Canon DSLRs have been slugging it out since, well, before the "D" was even a thought. This year, it's a fight over the entry-level end of the DSLR market with the Nikon's D60 facing off against Canon's EOS Rebel XSi. On paper at least, Nikon's offering is little changed from the D40x: 10.2-megapixel CCD, 3-fps shooting, sensor dust reduction, and of course, Eye-Fi enhancements. Of course, the real tale is in the images, so we'll hold judgement until we see the results of the EXPEED image processing concept.%Gallery-14977%
Hands-on with the Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR
We got our hands on what's probably one of the most anticipated cameras of the show, the Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR. The predecessor XTi model was crazy successful, so smart money says that the step up to a 3-inch live view LCD, 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, 9-point AF and Canon's DIGIC III processing will help continue the trend. That's a lot of features packed into this "starter" DSLR from Canon. With this body and all the lenses Canon has, this is one entry level that most folks will never need to leave.%Gallery-14978%
Hands-on with the Pentax K20D DSLR
Lookee here, the K20D, Pentax's flagship entry in the DSLR race and replacement for the K10D. Good looking stuff here, and right off the bat you can see it's a step above the K200D: a proper command dial in place of buttons on the back of that dust-proof (not just resistant) and weather-resistant body. But the beauty's more than skin deep -- check out the 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View 2.7-inch LCD and ISO sensitivity that peaks out at 3,200 (thanks, CMOS!). And in case you were wondering, no "scene" modes at this level, either.%Gallery-14975%
Hands-on with the Pentax K200D DSLR
Pretty much all the major camera manufacturers had their wares on display tonight at Digital Focus, the pregame event to PMA. We got our hands on Pentax's prosumer DSLR, the K200D. Pentax definitely makes a competitive case for itself here -- lots of buyers just getting into a DSLR don't have "investments" into glass from other vendors, and the features on the K200D look great: 10.2-megapixel CCD, 2.7-inch LCD, Shake Reduction in the body, and dust/weather resistant seals. We're curious to see if the "soft" JPEG processing from Pentax's other DSLRs still remains.%Gallery-14976%
Sony upgrades CS1 geotagger for video, drops some printers, nothing big
Geotaggers, take note: with PMA today Sony is upgrading its CS1 GPS unit to support geotagging video footage through new versions of its Picture Motion Browser and Image Tracker software, giving it an armband, and renaming the whole thing GPS-CS1KASP. (It's out again next month for $150.) Also happening tonight are two new dye-sub printers, the FP95 and FP75, which will run $200 and $150 in April, and feature 3.6 and 3.5-inch displays, respectively, HDMI out, and a filter function on the 95 for kooky effects like fish-eye and sepia.Read - Sony updates CS1 [Via Let's Go Digital]Read - Sony intros FP95 and FP75 [Via Let's Go Digital]
Kodak intros EasyShare Z1012 IS: 10-megapixels, 12x zoomer
Yeah, Kodak's being a little slow with its pre-PMA goods, but barely early is better than nothin', right? Here we have the firm's newest megazoom, the EasyShare Z1012 IS, which steps it up over the CES-announced Z1085 IS by housing a 10-megapixel sensor and a full 12x optical zoom. Reportedly, this shooter sports a chassis small enough to "fit in the palm of your hand (all hands?)," and in case the "IS" didn't give it away, you can also expect optical image stabilization. Moreover, you'll find ISO up to 3,200, program, aperture and shutter priority (as well as "full manual mode") and face detection technology for good measure. What's clear is the $299.95 price tag, what's not so clear is the release date -- look for it sometime during "the first half of 2008."[Via LetsGoDigital, thanks David]
Nikon's D60 is world's first Eye-Fi enhanced camera
It may be a low-end DSLR contender, but Nikon's D60 can still surprise. Seems Nikon and Eye-Fi are in cahoots as the D60 was just announced as the first shooter crowned "Eye-Fi Connected." The D60 recognizes the Eye-Fi wireless 2GB SD card when inserted then automatically adjusts its "power timer settings" so that picture transfers aren't interrupted. Kind of important when uploading hundreds dozens of 10.2 megapixel photos over WiFi. In return for the powerful industry nod, Eye-Fi will offer on-line integration with Nikon's "my Picturetown" this Spring. We'll be sure to go hands-on with the combo at PMA just as soon as we get the chance.
Sigma teases again with its full-spec DP1 compact camera
We understand that many of you have relinquished hope of seeing Sigma's compact DP1 with DSLR-sized (APS-C not full-frame) sensor. For the rest of you, take note, Sigma just sprouted a new teaser page promising, "The worldwide debut, soon." For all of Sigma's claims that the DP1 is "a camera that belongs to no known category," we'll be sure to toss it under the "vaporware" tag if we don't see it say, PMA-soon as in tomorrow.[Thanks, Daniel]
Mustek readies 9.5-inch digiframe with integrated NXT flat-panel speaker
What's a good digiframe without a good speaker? Apparently, it's not anything Mustek wants you to be interested in, as it's hoping the sweet sounding NXT flat-panel drivers integrated into its brand new PF-A950PS will catch more than just eyes. Set to debut at PMA, this 9.5-inch digital photo frame boasts NXT speakers that are actually "concealed within the screen," and it also features an 800 x 480 resolution, a multicard reader that handles SD, MMC, MS, MSPro, xD and CF formats, 128MB of internal memory, USB 2.0 port and playback support of JPEG, AVI, MJPEG and XviD files. It's all yours for $249.99 this May.
Panasonic gets official with PMA camera lineup
Panasonic didn't exactly do the best job keeping its PMA camera lineup a secret before things got official, but it looks like it's finally gotten its act together and it's now loose pictures details on the whole lot of them. As expected, those include new entries in the company's LZ, FS and TZ-series as well as, perhaps most notably, the FX35 (that's the tiny one up above), which is the first Lumix with a 25mm wide-angle lens. Hit up the appropriate read links below for the official word on each camera from Panasonic, or just head on over after the break for a rundown of the key specs.Read - Panasonic Lumix FX35Read - Panasonic Lumix LZ-SeriesRead - Panasonic Lumix FS-SeriesRead - Panasonic Lumix TZ-Series
Vivitar rolls out flurry of point-and-shoot ViviCam digicams
Although Vivitar spent most of its time boasting about the underwater shooting abilities of its 6200W at PMA, the firm apparently had a flurry of additional digicams awaiting release too. While none of the remaining launches tout any truly distinct features, the ViviCam X625, 6385u, 7388s, and DVR530 span between five- and ten-megapixels, and all manage to do an excellent job in fitting in with every other middle-of-the-road shooter already out there. The 7388s touts a seven-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, three-inch LCD, and MP3 playback, while the 6385u features just six-megapixels but comes in an ultrathin metallic enclosure in six different colors. The X625 ups the ante to ten-megapixels, offers a fairly respectable 6x optical zoom, and a nifty "retro" pop-up flash to boot. The five-megapixel DVR530, as the name implies, focuses on capturing 640 x 480 video at 30fps, and makes playing back video on TVs a sinch with the built-in video output. No word just yet concerning price or availability, but considering the lackluster packages found on most of these, bargain hunters should keep an eye out.
Digital Foci rolls out Image Moments 6 digiframe
Although the barrage of new digital cameras have (rightfully) claimed the limelight at PMA, Digital Foci is looking to grab your attention with its budget-priced Image Moments 6. The IMT-062 digiframe sports a downsized 5.7-inch 640 x 480 resolution LCD (compared to its eight-inch sibling), brushed chrome facade, USB port, audio output, integrated speaker, built-in timer, and an obligatory automatic slideshow mode. As for compatibility, you'll have no qualms shoving your CF, MicroDrive, SD, MMC, MS, MSPro, xD, or MSDuo cards directly into the device, and you can also fiddle with the transition effects and slideshow intervals to keep things fresh. Furthermore, the frame can reportedly play back MPEG 1/2/4 videos or MP3-backed photo shows as well, and the wireless remote will allow you to handle the action from the comforts of your recliner. Sadly, you'll have to wait until June to pick this one up, but it'll only run you $159 when it comes time to buy.[Via MacMinute]
Norcent intros Xias / 25 / 50 Series digicams with face detection
Just as Norcent slammed CES with a bevy of new displays, the electronics firm is bringing a bit more fresh gear out for the oh-so-crowded PMA. First up is the ultrathin Xias lineup, which looks to satisfy the style conscious shooter who doesn't have much room in those pants pockets for any extra gadgets. The DSC-760 / DCS-860 / DCS-1060 sport seven-, eight-, and ten-megapixel sensors respectively, feature a 3x optical zoom (plus 4x of the useless digital variety), a scratch-resistant 2.5-inch LTPS color monitor, rechargeable Li-ion battery, and SD / MMC card slots. The 25 Series touts the usual brushed metal enclosure, a vanilla 2.5-inch LCD, 16MB (DCC-725) or 32MB (DCC-1025) of built-in storage, and share the other specs with its Xias brethren. Picking up the rear is the 50 Series cams, which up the ante a bit with their three-inch LCDs, face detection / anti-shake technologies, and compatibility with SDHC cards. The myriad of shooters will be available from April to Q3 of this year depending on model, and while you can snag the lowest-end of these siblings for around $129, the high-end units will be upwards of $200.[Via Imaging-Resource]
Hands-on with Olympus's SP-550UZ, Stylus 780, 770SW, 760, and FE-230, FE-240, and FE-250
Home stretch, camera nerds; last up is our photo gallery of hands-ons with all of Olympus's non-DSLR shooters (for the DSLRs, check out the E-510 and E-410 and hands-ons). We caught the SP-550UZ prosumer hybrid -- a very solid piece of machinery -- as well as their new Stylus 780, 770SW, 760, and the lower end but still very respectable FE-230, FE-240, and FE-250. Check 'em out, and wash yourselves of all the digital camera news for a short while as the world recovers from all the new photographic equipment its been asked to process.%Gallery-2043%
Checking out GE's new digital cameras
We have to apologize in advance for the weird, dim lighting in GE's admittedly massive presence at PMA that made getting decent shots of their new cameras difficult; trust us though, you weren't missing out on much. The piano black and white shooters felt overly large, cheap, and plasticy as all get out -- all very cosmetic things, we know, but no amount of sweet specs like 10+ megapixels and 4x optical zoom will convince a buyer to plunk down for a cheapie. We know every new CE company has to start somewhere, but GE's going to have some serious work ahead of them if they intend to convince us all that theirs is a brand to be reckoned with in the digital camera space; either way, we'll be very interested to see how the pro reviewers rate the image quality on these suckas.%Gallery-2040%
Hands-on with Pentax's A30, M30, T30, and W30
We didn't get our fill drooling over the 645 Digital so we hit up Pentax to show us their new line of compacts, the A30, M30, T30, and W30. We could have been a bit more impressed by the lot, although the T30, with its massive, bright touchscreen and slender body, was definitely the eye-catcher of the bunch. Collect 'em all!%Gallery-2039%
Hands-on with Panasonic's line FX12, FX30, FZ8, LS70, LZ7, and TZ3
Although their SDR-S10 wasn't really doing it for us, we were more than happy to catch up with the rest of Panasonic's 2007 US camera line, including the eversexy FX series (the FX30 really caught our eye), and the workhorse FZ8. As you might expect, we didn't have nearly enough time to really learn the ins and outs of all these cameras, but we did get some gadget pr0n to satisfy you until all the digital camera sites start posting their full length reviews.%Gallery-2038%
BetterLight intros 416-megapixel digital camera back
Never one to let a pixel go unused, digital imaging company BetterLight has raised the bar on ridiculously high-resolution cameras yet again, busting out its new top-end, 416-megapixel Super10K-HS model at the big PMA trade show. Like the company's other mega megapixel wonders, the Super10K-HS isn't a digital camera itself, but a so-called "scanning back" that attaches to high-end, large-format cameras for tasks like photographing paintings (as seen above) and other stationary objects. They need to be stationary 'cause shooting a single photo at the full 416-megapixel resolution takes upwards of two minutes, effectively working more like a scanner than a digital camera. Once it's finished, however, you've got a 10,200 x 13,600 pixel image to do as you please with, clocking in at a file size of about 794MB. Anyone remotely considering getting one had better start saving up (or working on a pitch for the boss), with this monster set to demand a hefty $22,995 when it's released at the end of the month.[Via Crave]
