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Nikon's Coolpix W300 is a rugged point-and-shoot with 4K chops
Not to be outdone by rival camera maker Olympus, Nikon is getting ready to launch a rugged point-and-shoot of its own. The new Coolpix W300 borrows a few features from the AW130 that was introduced in 2015, including the same 16-megapixel (1/2.3-inch) CMOS sensor, wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD as well as built-in NFC, WiFi and GPS. Naturally, the W300 is also waterproof (100ft/30m), freezeproof (14F/-10C), shockproof (7.9ft/2.4m) and dustproof. But the main new feature here is support for 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) video at 30fps. Aside from being able to record your adventures at a super high resolution, you can take still images while you're shooting in movie mode -- which isn't something a lot of 4K cameras let you do. In terms of ergonomics, Nikon says its W300 is an improvement over the AW130, thanks to a slightly redesigned grip that should make it easier to grip and hold it comfortably in your hands. If that's enough to peak your interest, the Coolpix W300 will be hitting stores this summer for $395, about $55 less than Olympus' recently announced TG-5 rugged camera.
Samsung ships QF20 camcorder with WiFi, toughened-up W300 pocket cam
Samsung's CES blitz included a tease of five new camcorders, but precious little in the way of launch details. Some of the mystery has ended, as two of the camcorders -- the QF20 and W300 -- are at last hitting US stores. The QF20 caters to the Internet crowd and, for $350, will let you upload your 20x-zoomed 1080p videos straight to Facebook, Picasa or YouTube without thrusting a computer into the process. If you're more concerned about your camera surviving a rafting trip than producing viral videos, the W300 will give you dustproofing, 15-foot waterproofing and 6-foot shockproofing in a pocketable form for a more frugal $160. We're still waiting on launches for the camcorders' closely-related F80, Q20 and W350 (pictured) cousins, but for now you can catch full details of the QF20 and W300 after the break.
Samsung announces new camcorder range: QF20, F80 and ruggedized W300
Not satisfied with unveiling a whole bunch of point-and-click shooters, Samsung's also unveiled a a refreshed set of camcorders for 2012. First up, the QF20 and Q20 totes the same switch grip features of its predecessor and are capable of 1080i HD video, while packing 20x optical zoom, a touchscreen display plus a medley of requisite artistic effects. The rough and tumble W300 and W350 are for the sporting videographer; dust-proof, shock-proof to two meters and water-proof to up to five meters. It records 1080 HD video, with an optional floating bumper accessory incoming for those Jaws homages. There's also a five megapixel sensor and f/2.2 lens for your rugged stills. Finally, there's the F80, which ups the optical zoom to 52x, 720p recording at 30fps. For those willing to upscale, there's also a 1080i option through HDMI, which can also display any five megapixel stills snapped from great distances. No dates for when we'll see these in stores -- or price tags -- but expect to see them this side of 2012.
Samsung busts out 7.2Mbps SCH-W300
Ooh, how do you like them apples, LG? Just days after word of its SH150 for Korea's 7.2Mbps HSDPA trials spread across the lands, Samsung fires this little gem in return. The so-called "UFO" (don't ask us) SCH-W300 features a 2 megapixel camera (plus the obligatory front-facing piece for video calls), QVGA display, Bluetooth, and microSD expansion in a 12.9mm thich shell -- not particularly impressive by 2007 standards, until you hear about that magical 7.2Mbps downstream radio packed somewhere in there. Look for it alongside its crosstown rival's SH150 for just a little more dinero, 600,000 won (about $632).
Sony Ericsson W300i drops on Cingular
Perhaps trying to drown out the repeated cries of "give us our K790," Cingular's launched one for the Sony Ericsson fans: the entry-level W300i Walkman clamshell. To be fair, with a Memory Stick Micro slot, relatively generous 101 x 80 external display, Bluetooth, external music controls, and FM radio with RDS support, "entry-level" may not be doing the phone justice. Be that as it may, the handset's only going to set you back $20 after all the discounts are said and done (provided you're ready and willing to sign on the dotted line, of course).[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Cingular's September launches in writing (but not in stone)
We encourage everyone to take these tidbits with the usual boulder-sized grain of salt, but America's favorite (read: only) HSDPA carrier has dropped their September launch grid, and on account of our friends' slippery hands, it's subsequently found its way over to Engadget HQ. Thanks to our own Boy Genius among countless other tipsters, nothing on the grid has really taken us by surprise -- no UMTS 1900 N80s, for example -- but we're encouraged by Cingular's (foolhardy?) optimism that the 8525 might yet see a release this month. Also allegedly along for the ride are the 3125, the oft-promised but rarely-delivered Nokia E62 (which turns out to be a lifetime exclusive for Cingular), the Samsung SGH-C417 that now appears to be on limited sale, and Sony Ericsson's middling W300 Walkman flip. And, oh yeah, the Motorola L6 is in there, too. Don't ask us.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
