We’ve all heard about HD camcorders but what about little digital compact cameras offering high definition video recording?
Panasonic is among the first to offer it up with the new Lumix DMC-FX35, a compact snapper that will take 720p HD video at 30fps. You can even watch your video straight from the camera [...]
Fujifilm has launched a bag full of digital cameras this week, including the new FinePix F100fd, a 12MP compact.
The F100fd not only pushes the up the pixel count but features a Fujinon 5x wide angle optical zoom, wide dynamic range, dual image stabilisation, face detection 3.0 technology with automatic red-eye removal and ISO settings of up to ISO 12800.
The face detection technology promises speedy face focusing, detecting up to 10 faces in a scene in .035 seconds, and automatically correcting focus, exposure, and white balance.
David Troy, senior product manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm says: “The features packed in to this camera like ISO ranges and wide dynamic ranges are unprecedented for a compact consumer model – they first appeared in our Professional line. Combine these advances with our new Face Detection 3.0’s faster, 360 degree detection ranges and Dual Image Stabilisation and you have the ultimate consumer digital photography experience.â€
The camera will hit the US first in March with a price tag of around £160. Jump now for the full feature set.-Martin Lynch
FinePix F100fd key features:
* 12 megapixel Super CCD HR VIII and RP (Real Photo) Processor III: Ultra high resolution for razor-sharp results and unrivalled dynamic range
* 5x Fujinon zoom lens: Powerful and versatile shooting options
* Face Detection Technology 3.0 with intelligent red-eye removal: Even more capable, even faster than before
* Dual Image Stabilisation: Combine mechanical image stabilisation with the effects produced with higher ISO (up to an amazing ISO 12,800)
* Continuous Shooting: Top/Final 3 at 1.7 frames per second at full resolution and Top/Final 12 at 5 frames per second at 3 Megapixels
* Full manual photographic control: Gives users total control with full manual adjustment of numerous camera functions including resolution, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, etc, a desirable feature for the photo enthusiasts/advanced photographers
* High speed playback: No waiting for high-resolution images to load during play back. The FinePix F100fd can display images at full resolution at 10 frames per second
* Portrait Enhancer Mode: Mimicking a professional photo studio setting, by using Face Detection and preset camera settings, Portrait Enhancer minimises fine lines and small skin blemishes for smooth, natural looking portraits
* Dual Shot Mode: In this selectable mode, the FinePix F100fd quickly shoots two images in rapid succession – one with the flash and one without – and saves both. This convenient function lets users perform a comparison at their convenience and select the most pleasing image
* Special scene modes: The FinePix F100fd has 16 pre-programmed scenes, including a special underwater scene mode for use with a special underwater casing and a Blog mode that automatically reduces the size of copied images for easy posting to a Blog, Web page or email attachment
* Micro Thumbnail: A playback feature that allows for viewing an index-style print on the LCD. The FinePix F100fdwill show up to 100 images in micro form, then the control buttons are used to select specific images. An innovative wheel navigation dial makes it easy to quickly find a single image by being able to jump to particular segments of images in the time sequence
* IrSimpleâ„¢: Infrared communication via IrSimpleâ„¢ technology for fast, easy wireless image transfer to a compatible device
* xD/SD/SD-HC compatible slot: The FinePix F100fdfeatures a xD/SD compatible slot which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity/SD-HC cards too
Panasonic has launched a new, compact digital snapper with a whopping 12.2 megapixels and the unusual ability to record high-definition video.
The new Lumix DMC- FX100 arrives in July and significantly boosts the company’s current high-end offering, which tops out at 7.2 megapixels. It can take photos in 4:3 mode and there are also four 16:9 widescreen modes with image resolution up to 4000 x 2248 pixels.
Video can be recorded at up to 1280 x 720 at 15 frames per second, but don’t expect to fit much on the 27Mb of internal memory. You will need some decent SD Cards to make the most of this feature. The camera boasts a brand spanking new and “exclusive†28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens features, with 3.6x optical zoom, f/2.8 brightness, 1/1.72-inch large CCD and Intelligent Image Stabilisation with Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO Control.
There’s also an impressive high speed burst mode that will let you shoot 8 photos per second at full resolution. The FX100 has a 2.5in LCD screen, weighs 0.33lb and will be available in silver and black.
Jump now for a peek at the black version. No prices yet. - Martin Lynch
Samsung says it has developed the world’s largest microSD memory card. At 8GB, the fingernail-sized card can store 2,000 MP3 files, 4,000 digital photos or around five DVD-quality movies. With a read speed of 16 MB/s and a write speed of 6MB/s, the 8GB memory card is one-and-a-half times faster than the Speed Class 4 SDHC standard. Jump for more.
Up until now, SD cards have mainly been used for storing data in digital cameras and TVs. The MicroSD version is a quarter of the size of its big brother and, if used with an extender, can allow any files downloaded via your mobile to be played on any other media device which uses an SD card. – Ad Dugdale
Samsung develops mobile phone memory card with record storage capacity [Samsung Press Release]
A survey commissioned by Scooter Computer has claimed that people waste £1.25bn every year on gadgets that are never used. Fear and ignorance are classed as the top reasons why we don’t get on with our new toys. And, why we tend to dump them in a corner, never to be seen again. The average cost of these unwanted gadgets is £120.
In numbers terms, it means that one in every five gadgets is not used. Top of the list – surprisingly, I guess - is the iPod, followed by digital cameras, software, sat-navs and mobile phones. The survey was commissioned to see just what we do with gadgets we get as gifts and the worst offenders are 35-44-year olds.
Even sadder for them is that pensioners often fare better with iPods and cameras because they have more time to work them out. -Martin Lynch
With so many rubbish Web-cams out there, Creative thinks there’s a few quid to be made at the quality end of the spectrum.
The Live! Cam Optia AF is an auto-focusing cam which sports a 2-megapixel CMOS sensor that the company claims is a world’s first – don’t they all? It’s certainly a looker with that glossy piano-black finish and will take photos up to 8Mp, albeit interpolated. The automatic focusing technology promises to track any movement so that your ugly mug stays in sharp focus all of the time.
It comes with dual-microphones to improve sound by reducing ambient noise. There’s also a handy password control feature to let parents ensure that their kids don’t become naked Web-cam hotties - at least at home. There’s no UK price or availability on this yet but it is coming, probably this summer.
The Asian price is around £56 but we all know that that’s about as much use as a third nipple. Full feature list after the jump. -Martin Lynch
Creative Live! Cam Optia AF also comes with the following features:
* Certified Hi-Speed USB 2.0 high bandwidth allows the transfer of raw data from the webcam to the PC without compression, achieving superior video quality at 30 frames per second.
* Creative Live! View technology encompasses all the video and imaging technologies and features that will deliver realistic or enhanced viewing experience, providing optimised light exposure, colour balance, and frame rates.
* High quality, multi-element Precision Lens offer increased video clarity and sharper images, ensuring the best image quality.
* Creative Smart Face Tracking technology automatically tracks face movements to keep the face constantly in the video frame.
* Privacy control function switches the webcam off when it is twisted 90° downwards, preventing any video feed from accidentally flowing out.
* The bundled handsfree stereo headset offers users an alternative for private conversation and can even be used for music listening.
* Multi-axis swivel lets the webcam swivel horizontally up to 270° with forward and backward tilt, giving the maximum flexibility to achieve the best possible angle for videos and photos. If rotated backwards, the webcam automatically flips the image to the correct orientation.
* Multi-usage base attaches easily to CRT monitors, LCD panels and notebook LCDs and sits comfortably on tables or other flat surfaces.
* Creative Live! Cam Suite comprising of Creative Live! Cam Center, Creative Live! Cam Manager, Creative Live! Cam Console, Creative Photo Manager and Creative Photo Calender for performing advanced video tasks such as motion detection, remote capturing, organising and managing of photos and videos and more.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Demand for digital cameras will slow over
the next few years as the market enters a maturity phase, and
the market will begin to shrink by 2011, researcher IDC said.
Medion, the German PC giant, is entering the ultra mobile PC (UMPC) space next month. The company that likes to build high-end PCs, pile ‘em high and then sell them cheap through the supermarkets, is hoping there may be a wider audience for UMPCs which, to date, are very niche and massively overpriced.
Medion will change all that next month by launching the good looking RIM 1000 for £799.99 online. So what’s the hitch? That’s just it, the specs look decent. Here you go:
* Genuine Microsoft® Windows VistaTM Home Premium with Touch Pack
* VIA C7-M 770 ULV processor (1.0GHz, 400MHz FSB)
* VIA UniChrome Pro II GFX
* 6.5″ WVGA TFT Touchscreen with LED backlight (800×480px)
* High definition audio with integrated loudspeaker
* 30GB hard disc
* 768MB DDRII RAM memory
* Wireless LAN 802.11b/g with up to 54 Mbit/s
* Integrated Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR module
* Integrated webcam & microphone array e.g. for video over IP
* SD/SD-IO/MMC card reader
* External AC adaptor & lithium polymer battery VDE/GS approved
* Synchronise your UMPC with you desktop pc or notebook
* Transfer data from your MP3 player or digital camera via an SD or MMC card using the memory card slot
* Connect your mobile phone via Bluetooth
* Connect to a projector via the VGA port
* Share files via the USB port
Check out the connectivity options, software and another photo after the jump. –Martin Lynch
Connections
* 2 x USB 2.0
* 1 x DC-in
* 1 x Docking
* 1 x IEEE 1394 Firewire
* 1 x VGA out
* 1 x SD/MMC card slot
* 1 x Audio out
* 1 x Microphone In
Software Included
* Genuine Microsoft® Windows VistaTM Home Premium
* Microsoft® Works 8.5
* Nero Burning Rom & Recode SE
Weight & Dimensions
* Dimensions: width 190mm x height 121mm x depth 28.3mm
* Weight: 740g including battery
Accessories Included
* Lithium polymer battery
* External AC Adaptor
Warranty
* 12 months
Texas Instruments, the creators of the DLP projection technology used in most of the world’s new projectors, think there could a be a quid or two in mini-projectors for mobile phones. That would make it smaller than even the world’s smallest projector.
The company recently previewed a DLP Pico-Projector prototype to a few lucky industry sods, small enough to fit on the tip of your finger. Texas already has a pocket-projection technology out in the market, with products available from Toshiba, Mitsubishi and Samsung.
Researchers, Pacific Media Associates (PMA), thinks the pocket projector category (a bit bigger than this) to hit more than 1 million units by 2010.
The weenie projection tech is being touted for use in phones, digital cameras and MP3/video players. A camcorder with this in-built would be handy. Don’t expect to see anything real though until next year.-Martin Lynch
Home cinema has been getting a makeover in recent times. On the one hand there’s the wacky Star Trek home cinema installation and on the other, there’s the mobile R2D2 entertainment system.
But some people would like to take things a little further. I know, let’s put a cinema on wheels and, even better, disguise it as a Fiat 500. Above is the winner of the Fiat 500 design competition, in the Everywhere category, entitled Drivin Cinema by the UK’s Tim Thornton.
The car would house a projector in the front – disguised as another light – speakers and , on the inside, a digital camera and DVD player along with a host of connectors so that users could hook up any entertainment device (ipod, consoles etc.) they like for showing movies, games and photos on walls at night time. Kitted out with extra lights, the Fiat 500 would be an all-singing, all-dancing mobile entertainment system. Great! But would it be any good to drive?
Jump now for some more photos.-Martin Lynch
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