Thursday, February 28, 2013

Samsung Galaxy Camera EK-GC100

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is an intriguing proposition, in that it offers all the capabilities of a high-end smartphone (except the key one of being able to make calls … more on that later) with a capable point-and-shoot camera. It's a new genre of product, a point-and-share smart-camera if you will. But just how smart is it? I spent a bit of quality time with one to find out.

While it wasn't the first Android-powered camera to hit the market, the Samsung Galaxy Camera EK-GC100 appears (at least on paper) to be the most complete package. It boasts a 16-megapixel sensor, a 21x optical zoom, 3G/4G connectivity, WiFi, GPS, a 4.8-inch touchscreen display, all powered by a Quad Core CPU running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.It's hard to know exactly how to approach the Galaxy Camera, or what market Samsung is aiming for.

Despite the price tag, it's clearly not aimed at the traditional photography enthusiast, as there's no RAW shooting and the small sensor limits image quality. But who else would be willing to shell out US$500 on a camera?Well, after a week of using the Samsung Galaxy Camera as my carry-everywhere camera, I've come to the conclusion that – despite not getting on with it for the first day or two – it's a great option for avid mobile photographers. There's something liberating about being able to share images instantly wherever you are, and the 21x optical zoom is a huge bonus over any other always-connected cameras.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Sony releases new interchangeable lens and Cyber-shot cameras

Sony has sprinted out of the post-CES gate with a pair of new mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and a trio of new Cyber-shot point and shoots. These models were announced in Europe last week,Hands-on video of HTC BlinkFeed and camera software on HTC One, but officially launched in the U.S. today. Sony unveiled the NEX 3N compact system camera, a new entry level addition to its photo hobbyist Alpha line.

Boasting a small, light body with a 16.1-megapixel APS-C size sensor and collapsible 16-50mm motorized zoom lens, this camera joins Sony's NEX line of compact interchangeable lens cameras as a replacement for the older NEX F3. It measures 4.33-by-2.44-by-1.38 inches and is designed for people stepping up from a fixed lens to an interchangeable lens camera.It features Sony's Auto Object Framing technology, which offers easier advanced composition by identifying the main object of a scene and automatically cropping photo around it.

An updated Bionz processor adjusts levels of noise reduction in images to deliver crisp images in all types of lighting. It has a maximum ISO of 16000, but should you need a flash, there's a new pop-up version on this model along with a new zoom lever near the shutter button. A 180 degree tiltable 3-inch LCD screen follows the trend of offering easy self-portrait framing. It's available in April for about $500.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Hands-on video of HTC BlinkFeed and camera software on HTC One

I posted some first thoughts on the HTC One when it was announced this morning that included some initial time I spent with the device a couple weeks ago. I had more time to use the HTC One at the New York launch event and captured the video walkthrough of HTC BlinkFeed and the camera.I can see BlinkFeed helping those who are a bit intimidated by Android liking the simpler user experience.

It is interesting to read the comments in my first HTC One post as many readers are stating it should run Windows Phone. I must have a bit of a skewed audience since Windows Phone has not shown to capture many fans and many power uses I know prefer Android. In typical HTC fashion, we may see a device like the HTC One running Windows Phone in the future. However, HTC is able to customize Android more to give it their own personal touch and I think that is something they need to really establish and grow the HTC brand.

I wrote that HTC did just about everything they needed to (a larger battery or a removable would have been nice) with the HTC One to release a high end smartphone with elegant design. They need the HTC One to succeed and I hope they do since I like choice in my phones.Keep in mind that you can fully customize HTC BlinkFeed and even switch over to the standard Android home screen with up to four panels. I think someone like my wife will go for an all Facebook BlinkFeed experience since that is what is important to her.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

New speed cameras won't eliminate errors, radar experts say

Baltimore transportation officials have set high expectations for the city's new speed cameras, telling state lawmakers the devices won't be susceptible to errors that plagued the system over the past three years."We won't have this problem moving forward," said Barbara Zektick, acting deputy transportation director, at a recent briefing for the city's legislative delegation."The new cameras have tracking radar," said Frank Murphy, the agency's acting director.

But radar experts say tracking radar isn't necessarily the cure-all it might seem. They predict the new cameras will reduce — but not necessarily eliminate — the kinds of errors that have cast a shadow over the city's automated enforcement system. Ricoh Shows Off Camera That Captures a 360-Degree Photo in One Shot.Those errors, many of which came to light in a Baltimore Sun investigation, have included generating excessively high speed readings and tagging the wrong vehicle as the speeder.

Speed cameras will be on the agenda in Annapolis this week. A wide-ranging reform bill sponsored by Sen. James Brochin, a Towson Democrat, is scheduled to be heard Wednesday at 1 p.m. by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. One provision would more explicitly bar the so-called "bounty system" that pays contractors based on the volume of citations.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Ricoh Shows Off Camera That Captures a 360-Degree Photo in One Shot

At the CP+ show in Japan, Ricoh is showing off a new camera prototype its developing that can capture full 360-degree immersive photographs with a singel push of the shutter. The omnidirectional camera looks like a cross between an electric toothbrush and a hammerhead shark. Lift it up into the air, press a button, and it will capture an image that shows every direction around you.

The camera actually comprises two lenses and two sensors. The dual fish-eye lens setup captures two photos that each show 180-degrees on opposite sides of the device. Those images are then merged together by the camera and can be beamed to a tablet or smartphone for interactive viewing.Using the app, you swipe your finger around to navigate the scene. Pinch the screen, and you can view the photo as a circle or a sphere.

In its current form the camera is designed for still photography, but the company is planning to make it video capable as well.360-degree panorama apps are become pretty popular and common in the world of smartphone apps — Google recently launched its own official app for Android phones — but we have yet to see a widely distributed camera dedicated to capturing 360-degree images with a single push of a button.

Monday, February 4, 2013

My Toddlers First Camera

Having a large family that live mostly three thousand miles away has meant that we take more pictures and capture more video than I would have thought possible.Mega-zoom and entry-level FinePix cameras round out Fujifilm's new 2013 CP+ unveils. It's a blessing in disguise, both cumbersome in storage and wonderful in experience, as we have such a large record of my son's babyhood.

As he grew he began to develop a fascination with the devices we used, so a few months ago we got him his own camera. We've been excitedly watching ever since to see what develops.First, the choice of the camera. There are several pre-school cameras on the market and I was driving myself crazy with needs vs. specifications. I did what any self respecting frazzled mom would do. I went to Target and bought the one that they stock!

Thus we ended up with the VTech – Kidizoom Digital Camera. For a-kinda-sorta impulse purchase, it has been pretty impressive. It came with batteries that last long enough for your child to turn it on, take a few pictures, and freak out when the batteries die.The dollar store batteries lasted three weeks with my son clicking fairly consistently on a daily basis. This camera doesn't suck up too much juice when in use.

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