Archive for March, 2009
Kodak Zx1 unboxing and impressions
While videophiles might shudder to think it, Pure Digital’s crappy Flip, the little YouTubecam that could, has changed a lot about how a lot of folks approach video capture — $590 million worth of change, according to Cisco. Kodak jumped into the market last year with one of the earliest HD models, the $179 Zi6. Now they’ve followed up with the Zx1, a $149 “rugged” camera for, um, ruggedness. They’re aiming the camera at outdoor types, but with a smaller form factor, better build, lower price, HDMI output, and 60fps 720p recording (the original maxes out at 30fps 720p), about the only thing you’ll be missing from the Zi6 is a macro mode. So, specs aside, how does the Zx1 perform? Find out after the break.
Gallery: Kodak Zx1 unboxing and impressions
Continue reading Kodak Zx1 unboxing and impressions
Filed under: Digital Cameras, Portable Video
Kodak Zx1 unboxing and impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Panasonic’s DMC-TZ7 reviewed, offers great quality stills and vids
This is a great time to be shopping for a high-end pocketable digital camera — assuming you’re the sort who doesn’t get overwhelmed when faced with plenty of options. With recent offerings like Fuji’s F200EXR, Ricoh’s CX1, and Casio’s EC-FX100, it’s a busy market, and now the arrival of Panasonic’s DMC-TZ7 makes it even more so. Reviewed by Photography Blog, the 10 megapixel cam was found to offer great image quality at both ends of its 12x, 25 – 300mm Leica lens, functional image stabilization, and minimal noise up to ISO 400 (though it does go all the way to 1600). Even the 720p video recording impressed, which you can see for yourself in the sample vid embedded below. At the end it nabs a perfect rating, which might make it perfect for your pocket — if you don’t mind that $400 MSRP.
Continue reading Panasonic’s DMC-TZ7 reviewed, offers great quality stills and vids
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Panasonic’s DMC-TZ7 reviewed, offers great quality stills and vids originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Canon’s EOS Digital Rebel T1i gets hands-on preview
It’s early on, we know, but the EOS Digital Rebel T1i is already shaping up to be a winner. Merely hours after its official unveiling, the shutterbugs over at Imaging-Resource have put together a remarkably thorough hands-on preview that takes you through practically every feature offered on the new DSLR. One area of importance was the movie mode; we quickly noticed that Canon deliberately failed to mention the word “autofocus” when referencing “movie mode,” and sure enough, the cam won’t autofocus continuously. As with the D90, this little fact puts a huge damper on what would otherwise be an (even more) amazing feature, but we suppose we’ll chalk it up to baby steps and just hope for better at PMA 2010. At any rate, everything else seemed to exceed expectations, with their beta unit delivering image quality “at least as good as the 50D.” Hop to the read link for all the rest.
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Canon’s EOS Digital Rebel T1i gets hands-on preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony refreshes photo frame lineup to make it more green, black, and woodgrained
About a year ago Sony dropped three new frames on us of various sizes, each using a 15:9 aspect ratio that, to put it mildly, hasn’t exactly captured the LCD market by storm. They’re still at it, showing off four oddly ratio’d models, starting with the 10-inch, 1024 x 600 DPF-X1000 that we’ve seen before, and the new 8-inch, 800 x 480 DPF-800, both utilizing TruBlack technology to boost contrast ratios and decrease glare. These frames can turn themselves on or off on a schedule to save power, can pull pictures wirelessly with optional Bluetooth adapters, sport HDMI output, and have BIONZ processors so that you can remove creepy redeye right from the frame. The 7-inch DPF-D72 loses the fancy processing, the TruBlack coating, and drops the resolution to 800 x 480. Finally, the stripper 7-inch DPF-A72 model has a lowly 480 x 234 resolution and ditches nearly all the features of its forbearers. It is, however, the cheapest, expected to come in under ¥10,000 ($100), while the D72 will be around ¥20,000 ($200), the X800 around ¥30,000 ($300), and the range-topping X1000 at ¥40,000 ($400, if you haven’t figured out the conversion by now). All should hit tidy Japanese bookshelves late next month.
Continue reading Sony refreshes photo frame lineup to make it more green, black, and woodgrained
Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays
Sony refreshes photo frame lineup to make it more green, black, and woodgrained originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Pentax douses K-m in olive, K20D in titanium
We know, you’re a firm believer that there’s evidence of thaumaturgy splattered all over here, but believe it or not, all it takes to create a camera in a new color is powerful signature and a little paint. As Pentax has done so often in the past, it’s pumping out new editions of old cameras with fresh hues. The latest duo to don new Springtime wardrobes is the K20D — which is now outfitted in titanium — and the K-m, which now sports an absolutely peculiar olive shade. Both models are being limited to 1,000 in quantity, and while no price is mentioned, we get the feeling a ticket to Tokyo may be your only shot at acquiring one.
Read – Olive K-m, via PhotographyBLOG
Read – Titanium K20D, via PhotographyBLOG
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Pentax douses K-m in olive, K20D in titanium originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i now official
Yep, Canon just went live with that Rebel T1i DSLR that leaked a bit earlier, and it’s looking like a hell of a response to the Nikon D90: an XSi body jacked with a sensor matching the 50Ds 15.1 megapixels, 1080p HD video recording, and a $900 price tag. Yeah, it’s gonna be a hit. Other notable specs include a 3.0-inch Live View screen, a Digic IV processor, ISO 12.8k sensitivity, and the same 18-55 IS EF-S kit lens as the XSi — in other words, all those rumors were true. Hit up the read links for more info!
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
Read – Official press release
Read – Amazon listing
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i now official originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Pentax’s 30 megapixel 645 Digital on track for 2010 release
Got an itch that only a 30 megapixel shooter can scratch? Not really kosher on anything offered up by Hassleblad? For those odd, eccentric souls who somehow managed to answer “yes” to both of those inquiries, you’ll be elated to know that Pentax’s long awaited 645 Digital — which was once rumored as canceled altogether — is on track to be released next year. According to an update on the company’s Japanese website, the device will boast 30 megapixels and will play quite nicely with the FA645 55mm f/2.8 lens that should launch simultaneously. Start saving those tax credits right about now — we can say with absolutely certainty that you’ll need every spare dollar you can find to afford this sucker.
[Via DigitalCameraInfo]
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Pentax’s 30 megapixel 645 Digital on track for 2010 release originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Cisco acquiring Flip Video-maker Pure Digital for $590 million in stock
Funny — that patently absurd half a billion figure we heard tossed about earlier this month was low. In reality, Cisco has just announced its full intentions to acquire all of Pure Digital, the maker of the immensely popular Flip Video camcorder, for around $590 million in stock. According to Ned Hooper, senior vice president of Cisco’s Corporate Development and Consumer Groups, the “acquisition of Pure Digital is key to Cisco’s strategy to expand our momentum in the media-enabled home and to capture the consumer market transition to visual networking.” To an outsider, the move may seem somewhat odd; after all, what’s Cisco doing spending this much on a consumer product? Let’s just say that uploading HD video requires loads of bandwidth, and Cisco’s all about that. Expect the deal to close in Cisco’s fiscal fourth quarter of 2009.
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Cisco acquiring Flip Video-maker Pure Digital for $590 million in stock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mamiya announces DL33 for those who need more than 28 megapixels
Facing a little bit of competition from the hands of Nikon, and finding its earlier 28 megapixel DL28 to be something of a success (despite its $15,000 price tag), medium format master Mamiya is introducing a new model set to drive the megapixel wars to new heights. The DL33 sports similar specs to the DL28, including a 3.5-inch touchscreen on the back, but bests its successor with a 36 x 44-millimeter, 33 megapixel sensor. That means 16-bit capture, 12-stop dynamic range, and ISO settings from 50 to 800. Other tweaks include a faster autofocus motor and an improved UI, but with image files clocking in at 67 – 190MB you’ll probably need some improved storage, too. The camera will be available starting next month for $19,999 including a 55mm f2.8 or 150mm f3.5 lens — but only if you act now.
[Via Topix]
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Mamiya announces DL33 for those who need more than 28 megapixels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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FujiFilm’s FinePix F200EXR, and its pricetag, get reviewed
While some early shots showed a lot of promise, a full review was necessary to ensure that FujiFilm’s latest compact camera would be the performer we were hoping for — and that it would live up to its $400 price. According to Photography Blog this 12 megapixel shooter doesn’t disappoint, scoring very high marks for image quality and features. Its EXR mode, which can toggle between favoring resolution, dynamic range, or low noise, works more or less as advertised, bringing far more depth to shadows than your usual pocket cam can manage. Pictures were clear through ISO 800, but anything above that (up to its ludicrous ISO 12800 mode) were too noisy to be usable. Overall the cam was found to be a “veritable breath of fresh air” and a solid choice for a serious photographers who like air and don’t want to lug their SLR everywhere.
Filed under: Digital Cameras
FujiFilm’s FinePix F200EXR, and its pricetag, get reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
