pointandshoot
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BenQ intros 8-megapixel C840 point-and-shoot
Keepin' the flow of new BenQ gear rolling is the C840 point-and-shoot, which claims to be the successor of the 2.5-month old C740i. This camera features an eight-megapixel CCD sensor, an SMC Pentax lens, face tracking functionality, anti-shake, 3x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LTPS LCD monitor, red-eye reduction, ISO all the way up to 1,600, optical zoom in video recording mode and 3:2 / 16:9 output sizes. The video mode enables users to capture clips in 720 x 400 resolution at 30 frames-per-second, and there's 15 different shooting modes built-in to handle a variety of scenarios. You'll also find a paltry 6MB of internal storage, but you can (thankfully) expand that a little with an SD or SDHC card. Sadly, mum's the word on pricing and release date information, but click on for a shot of the back.
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-H3: an 8 megapixel, 10x zoomer
While everyone is pining over the new Canons (and rumored Nikons), Sony has quietly unveiled their Cybershot DSC-H3. Of course, it doesn't warrant the comparable fuss. This latest super-zoom to go point-and-shoot brings a 1/2.5-inch, 8 megapixel sensor; 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens; optical image stabilization; ISO 3200 sensitivity; and 1080p image out via a multi-use AV terminal which requires -- you guessed it -- a $40 proprietary component conversion cable from Sony. Thanks. Still, not bad for $300. Pre-orders for US-itizens start tomorrow. %Gallery-6223%[Via Akihabara News]
Sanyo announces Xacti S70
Sanyo has a new point and shoot digicam out recently in the form of the Xacti S70, which replaces the previous S60. The S70 doesn't offer any particularly distinguishing features: the 7-megapixel sensor, 3x zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD, 250 shot battery life, and VGA movie recording mode could describe dozens of other consumer cams on the market right now. The only real plus side is that it's packed into a relatively small, albeit forgettable, silver casing. It's looking like Sanyo's only option for perking our interest in this model is to set the price at rock bottom levels, although as of now we know nothing about pricing or availability.
Pentax announces Optio E30 compact
Pentax has announced a new entry-level camera in its Optio line, following up the E20 (and E10 before it) with, you guessed it, the E30. As with those earlier models, this camera's aimed squarely at the point-and-shoot set, one-upping the E20's 6 megapixel sensor with a 7.1 megapixel one this time around, along with the same 3x optical zoom and 2.4-inch LCD. Otherwise you'll get the usual range of camera preset modes, a token 11MB of internal memory, and an SD slot for some all-but-required expansion (including support for SDHC cards). There's no word on price or availability just yet, although if the previous models are any indication, it should come in somewhere in the $200 range.
Samsung intros Digimax D103 camera for the UK
Samsung is certainly not hurting for point-and-shoot digital cameras but the company is beefing up its lineup anyway, slipping the Digimax D103 out the door without too much fanfare. This one's apparently exclusive to the U.K. for now, boasting an increasingly common 10 megapixels, along with a 3x optical zoom, and a 2.5-inch LCD on the camera's backside (check out a shot of it after the break). The D103 will also let you take full VGA MPEG-3 video at 30 fps, and will give you ISO settings all the way up to ISO 1000. No word on price, but it appears that it's available now.[Via Photography Blog]
