Olympus has updated two of its popular Micro Four Thirds PEN cameras—replacing the E-PL3 $599.00 at Buydig.com with the E-PL5 PEN Lite and the E-PM1 $399.99 at TigerDirect.com with the E-PM2 PEN Mini. Both cameras feature the same 16-megapixel image sensor and processing engine as the OM-D E-M5 $1,279.99 at PRIMOTRONIX and touchscreen rear displays, making it possible to adjust settings, select a focus point, and fire the shutter with the touch of your finger. The top-end PEN camera, the E-P3 is not being upgraded at this point, but it does remain in the lineup.
Like its predecessor, the E-PM2 features a fixed rear 460k-dot LCD. The E-PL5 has a tilting screen with the same resolution and an improved tilt range—it can now face all the way front for self portraits, just like the display on the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 $498.00 at Dell. Sony's compact full-frame RX1 camera launches in November for $2,800.Both shoot at 8 frames per second with locked focus, but slow to 3.5 frames per second. Neither camera has built-in Wi-Fi, but they do support wireless transfer to an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet via the PenPal $48.95 at Amazon Marketplace Bluetooth adapter, Eye-Fi memory cards, and Toshiba FlashAir memory cards.
There are also a few new lenses coming for the Micro Four Thirds system. The most intriguing is a 15mm f/8 lens that Olympus is billing as a bodycap lens—at only 0.3 inches in depth, it's even slimmer than a pancake design. Even though it has a very modest maximum aperture, the manual focus lens barely protrudes from the camera body. It produces a 30mm field of view in terms of full-frame photography and can focus as close as 0.3 meters.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Sony's compact full-frame RX1 camera launches in November for $2,800
Sony (SNE) announced on Wednesday it will launch the Cybershot RX1 compact camera in November for $2,800. The unique camera blends together a full-frame image sensor usually reserved for high-end DSLRs with a body that measures only 4.5-inches wide and weighs a little over a pound. Make no mistake, the RX1′s full-frame image sensor is not a feature most people will need, which is why the camera is so expensive.
It's packed with a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 fixed lens, 3-inch LCD, pop-up flash and plenty of dials and buttons to fit the professional photographer who just wants a lighter camera to tote around.Still, if money is of no object, the RX1 has a full array of hard-hitting features including 1080p HD video at 24 and 60 frames per second, ISO 100 to 25,600, and five frame-per-second shooting.
The only major caveats seem to be a lack of a touchscreen, a missing built-in electronic viewfinder and the inability to zoom in due to the fixed lens. An optical viewfinder ($450) and electronic viewfinder ($600) attachment will be sold separately.
It's packed with a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 fixed lens, 3-inch LCD, pop-up flash and plenty of dials and buttons to fit the professional photographer who just wants a lighter camera to tote around.Still, if money is of no object, the RX1 has a full array of hard-hitting features including 1080p HD video at 24 and 60 frames per second, ISO 100 to 25,600, and five frame-per-second shooting.
The only major caveats seem to be a lack of a touchscreen, a missing built-in electronic viewfinder and the inability to zoom in due to the fixed lens. An optical viewfinder ($450) and electronic viewfinder ($600) attachment will be sold separately.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
PENTAX Introduced the New K-5 II DSLR Camera
Pentax announced the PENTAX K-5 II flagship digital SLR cameras, designed to advance the Pentax well-received K-5 camera. The new dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-resistant camera include a newly developed SAFOX X AF sensor that delivers the broadest autofocusing EV range (-3 EV to +18 EV) in its class.16 mp Camera With 21x Zoom Launched For Rs 16,000. In addition, the PENTAX K-5 IIs is offered without an anti-aliasing filter, making it the perfect solution for photographers who practice commercial and studio photography where camera settings, lens selection, lighting, and other shooting conditions are controlled.
The new PENTAX K-5 II offer a compact, solid body that delivers high quality image reproduction, especially when working in low light conditions. The camera's new, highly sensitive AF sensor enables photographers to work with a luminous flux based on F2.8 levels in addition to F5.6, which increases the AF accuracy when using fast lenses. The AF sensor also includes an upgraded AF algorithm as well as the Select-Area Expansion feature, which automatically tracks the subject when it deviates from a pre-assigned selection point, by assessing data from neighboring sensors.
With its large sensor measuring 23.7mm by 15.7mm with approximately 16.28 effective megapixels, the K-5 II's latest-generation CMOS image sensor ensures high-speed image data readout. By coupling the sensor with the PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II imaging engine, the Pentax K-5 II delivers super high resolution, rich gradation digital images free of digital noise over a wide sensitivity range – from ISO 100 to ISO 12800 in the standard setting, or from ISO 80 to ISO 51200 when expanded via a custom function.
The new PENTAX K-5 II offer a compact, solid body that delivers high quality image reproduction, especially when working in low light conditions. The camera's new, highly sensitive AF sensor enables photographers to work with a luminous flux based on F2.8 levels in addition to F5.6, which increases the AF accuracy when using fast lenses. The AF sensor also includes an upgraded AF algorithm as well as the Select-Area Expansion feature, which automatically tracks the subject when it deviates from a pre-assigned selection point, by assessing data from neighboring sensors.
With its large sensor measuring 23.7mm by 15.7mm with approximately 16.28 effective megapixels, the K-5 II's latest-generation CMOS image sensor ensures high-speed image data readout. By coupling the sensor with the PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II imaging engine, the Pentax K-5 II delivers super high resolution, rich gradation digital images free of digital noise over a wide sensitivity range – from ISO 100 to ISO 12800 in the standard setting, or from ISO 80 to ISO 51200 when expanded via a custom function.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
16 mp Camera With 21x Zoom Launched For Rs 16,000
BenQ has launched the GH700, a new camera that employs a powerful 21x optical zoom lens along with a 16 megapixel Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) sensor for better low-light results, all at an affordable price. To make it easier while shooting at such high zoom levels, the camera is equipped with OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) to compensate for vibrations. The GH700 features a 25 mm wide angle lens to capture a large area in a single shot. In addition to shooting faraway objects, it also claims to be able to capture subjects as close as 1 cm from the lens.
While it appears very similar to the lower-priced GH600, it's differentiated by a CMOS sensor as against the latter's CCD, a high-speed DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or image processor, Full HD (1080p) recording, and better battery life.BenQ claims that through the BSI CMOS sensor and DSP, the snapper can eliminate low-light noise to a great extent, thus allowing for clear nighttime shots even without a tripod.
The image processor automatically takes several snaps and combines them into a single frame, reportedly giving you more vivid images. The high-speed DSP also enables Continuous Shooting Mode, wherein you can take 10 snaps at 16 mp or 54 shots at 1 mp all at once. Moreover, pressing the shutter halfway down results in five photos being taken before the actual image, so that you can select the best out of them. Alternatively, holding down the shutter button will keep taking pictures until released, with the sharpest among them being chosen automatically.
While it appears very similar to the lower-priced GH600, it's differentiated by a CMOS sensor as against the latter's CCD, a high-speed DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or image processor, Full HD (1080p) recording, and better battery life.BenQ claims that through the BSI CMOS sensor and DSP, the snapper can eliminate low-light noise to a great extent, thus allowing for clear nighttime shots even without a tripod.
The image processor automatically takes several snaps and combines them into a single frame, reportedly giving you more vivid images. The high-speed DSP also enables Continuous Shooting Mode, wherein you can take 10 snaps at 16 mp or 54 shots at 1 mp all at once. Moreover, pressing the shutter halfway down results in five photos being taken before the actual image, so that you can select the best out of them. Alternatively, holding down the shutter button will keep taking pictures until released, with the sharpest among them being chosen automatically.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sony's NEX-5R WiFi Hands On With the Viewfinder Feature
Just about anyone who's tried to take a self-portrait with a camera agrees: it's a hassle. Setting the scene, hitting the timer, then rushing into place only to find half of your head has been cut out is par for the course.If that sounds like you, a new feature that makes use of a smartphone or tablet PC as a remote viewfinder could help. One of the first cameras to offer this will be Sony's NEX-5R, which will be available in major markets in October. Instagram Camera Inching Closer to Reality.
The function, which Sony calls "smart remote control," is added to the camera as an application. With the WiFi-equipped NEX-5R, Sony includes the option for downloading applications from an online store, via a PC or from the camera's PlayMemories Store app. Users will also need to download a PlayMemories app to their handset. Sony says versions for Android and Apple's iOS will be available.
The base of the system is a peer-to-peer WiFi connection, so the camera needs to be connected with a smartphone or tablet before it can be used. A couple of button presses in the camera sets it searching for a compatible handset. In our test the process took about 10 seconds for the devices to automatically connect. Once done, the smartphone screen shows a more-or-less real-time video image that matches the camera's viewfinder. It doesn't include any of the text that is typically overlaid on the viewfinder and lags the camera's viewfinder by a fraction of a second.
The function, which Sony calls "smart remote control," is added to the camera as an application. With the WiFi-equipped NEX-5R, Sony includes the option for downloading applications from an online store, via a PC or from the camera's PlayMemories Store app. Users will also need to download a PlayMemories app to their handset. Sony says versions for Android and Apple's iOS will be available.
The base of the system is a peer-to-peer WiFi connection, so the camera needs to be connected with a smartphone or tablet before it can be used. A couple of button presses in the camera sets it searching for a compatible handset. In our test the process took about 10 seconds for the devices to automatically connect. Once done, the smartphone screen shows a more-or-less real-time video image that matches the camera's viewfinder. It doesn't include any of the text that is typically overlaid on the viewfinder and lags the camera's viewfinder by a fraction of a second.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Instagram Camera Inching Closer to Reality
ADR Studio is working on an Instagram-specific camera that is expected to launch in mid-2013.The first prototype of the Instagram Socialmatic camera is expected by year's end, according to ADR, which recently gained new business partners to help get the project off the ground.ADR Studio thanked private investor Artem Shishakin and telecommunications and design company Global Mobile Network, which ADR said "will be ready to create a new era in social photography."
ADR first announced plans for an Instagram-specific camera in May. The product, still in its development phases, will sport a flat touch-screen display, with a built-in printer and 16GB of storage. It will also come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, so users can share pictures instantly.According to Design Taxi, the square, handheld device will come with two separate camera lenses – one for normal photos and another for filtered shots, as well as an LED flash.
Since its last update three months ago, ADR Studio unveiled an updated camera design, turning the otherwise beige Instagram logo into a black on-the-go camera."The realization of this ambitious project is no longer a brilliant idea or a concept," ADR Studio said in July news release. "This is a reality that will soon be flooded into the world markets almost crazy about this amazing concept."
ADR first announced plans for an Instagram-specific camera in May. The product, still in its development phases, will sport a flat touch-screen display, with a built-in printer and 16GB of storage. It will also come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, so users can share pictures instantly.According to Design Taxi, the square, handheld device will come with two separate camera lenses – one for normal photos and another for filtered shots, as well as an LED flash.
Since its last update three months ago, ADR Studio unveiled an updated camera design, turning the otherwise beige Instagram logo into a black on-the-go camera."The realization of this ambitious project is no longer a brilliant idea or a concept," ADR Studio said in July news release. "This is a reality that will soon be flooded into the world markets almost crazy about this amazing concept."
Monday, August 27, 2012
Red Light Camera Firm Sues to Block Public Vote
A traffic camera company on Thursday filed suit in a Galveston County, Texas courthouse to prevent voters from having a say in whether automated ticketing machines are used in League City. Nikon Coolpix S800c Android camera drops for $350.Following a well-established pattern, Redflex Traffic Systems, which wants the camera program to survive, filed suit against the city asking the court to block officials from going ahead with the initiative on the November 6 ballot. City officials also support the cameras.
After residents presented a legally binding petition for a ballot measure banning the cameras immediately, the city council re-wrote the measure so that, if passed, it would amend the city charter with a provision that would not ban cameras until 2014."Effective with the expiration of the city's contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, the deployment of photographic traffic enforcement systems, and any contracts or franchises or renewals related thereto on city public rights of way shall be prohibited," the ballot measure states.
Redflex cannot afford to have the issue go to voters as red light cameras and speed cameras have lost in 23 out of 24 times in which they have been put to a vote (view list). Because Redflex, an Australian company, does not have standing in an election lawsuit, it added League City resident Joseph C. Wheeler as a plaintiff in the case. Photo enforcement opponents point out on their League City Camera Scam website that the Redflex law firm -- Collins, O'Neal and Swofford -- did not find a concerned citizen.
After residents presented a legally binding petition for a ballot measure banning the cameras immediately, the city council re-wrote the measure so that, if passed, it would amend the city charter with a provision that would not ban cameras until 2014."Effective with the expiration of the city's contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, the deployment of photographic traffic enforcement systems, and any contracts or franchises or renewals related thereto on city public rights of way shall be prohibited," the ballot measure states.
Redflex cannot afford to have the issue go to voters as red light cameras and speed cameras have lost in 23 out of 24 times in which they have been put to a vote (view list). Because Redflex, an Australian company, does not have standing in an election lawsuit, it added League City resident Joseph C. Wheeler as a plaintiff in the case. Photo enforcement opponents point out on their League City Camera Scam website that the Redflex law firm -- Collins, O'Neal and Swofford -- did not find a concerned citizen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)