Digital Photography and Cameras

Archive for April, 2009

What better way to give you a look at Flip Video’s new Ultra HD camcorder than by reviewing it on video… shot with the Ultra HD. The specs are simple: 720p / 30 FPS, 8GB of storage on-board, HDMI out, and pretty much nothing else. Still, a camera this cheap ($199.99) and this small definitely has its uses. Of course, you’ll probably be distracted (like we were) by the bad, bad image stabilization issues. But don’t just read about it — take a look at the gallery below to scope out what the thing looks like, then watch the videos after the break to hear (and see) our thoughts, and catch the cam in some heavier — shakier — action. Needless to say, both videos are available in HD.

Continue reading Flip Video Ultra HD video review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Flip Video Ultra HD video review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been a few moments since Phase One had us lusting after one of its devices, and now the company is back with a 40 megapixel system named, appropriately enough, the P40+. Like the P65+ we peeped last year, this new guy offers two separate image-capture modes — in this case, you’re looking at either a standard mode for full 40 megapixel shooting, or a 10 megapixel Sensor+ mode that gives you a four-fold increase in light sensitivity (ISO to 3200), and a 1.8 fps capture rate. Both modes feature a 12.5 f-stop dynamic range. The camera is shipping now, and it will run you a cool €16,990 ($22,073). Or pick up just the camera back for €14,990 ($19,475). Actually, you might want to think about picking up two. You know, just in case. One more image after the break.

Continue reading PhaseOne P40+ medium format camera hits the streets of Copenhagen

Filed under: Digital Cameras

PhaseOne P40+ medium format camera hits the streets of Copenhagen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew Samsung had a good thing going with the HMX-R10, and sure enough, that stylish has rubbed off heavily on the company’s newest pair. The MX-C14 and SMX-C10 are both “ergonomic” camcorders which boast the company’s Touch of Color finish and the practically iconic Active Angle Lens. Specs wise, we’re told that they include a 10x optical zoomer, Hyper Image Stabilization (oxymoron much?) and a 230,000-dot, swiveling 2.7-inch wide LCD screen. Strangely (and inexcusably, really), Sammy failed to mention what resolution these capture at, so we could be looking at two 4K RED competitors or VGA shooters that can’t even outdo those uninspiring offerings from DXG. At any rate, we’re told that the C14 comes with 16GB of internal flash along with an SD / SDHC expansion slot, while the C10 gets by with just a slot. Finally, both units include one-touch YouTube uploads and just under three hours of life on a single charge; they’ll splash down this July for undisclosed amounts.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Samsung intros drop-dead gorgeous SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 camcorders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon’s D5000 is a curious beast. It boasts an unorthodox model name, packs a strikingly unique display and aims at an atypically small niche. In a way, it’s a poor man’s D90, but stopping there would be selling this gem short. The D5000 kit, which ships with the same 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens that comes bundled with the D60 kit, sports an MSRP of $849.99, placing it squarely between the aforementioned D60 kit (currently streeting for $549.95) and the D90 kit (which can be found for around $1,150). ‘Course, the D90 kit lands you a nicer 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR lens, a higher resolution rear LCD, a top-mounted display for showing vital statistics, a more rugged body and a few other internal upgrades. We’ve had some time to toy with Nikon’s latest, and we’ve laid out our impressions just past the break. Join us, won’t you?

Continue reading Nikon D5000 impressions, head-to-head with D90

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon D5000 impressions, head-to-head with D90 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been about a day after forever ago since we’ve seen a new camcorder from Genius, but if you’re scouting a low-end, low-cost option that’ll still capture clips at a halfway respectable resolution, you’re in luck. Similar to many of the DXG offerings, the G-Shot HD520 provides 720p footage for under $150, and it can also capture 11 megapixel still shots when things slow down a bit. The six-ounce device records in MPEG-4 / H.264 format and features a 2.5-inch LCD and room for up to 8GB of storage — you know, in case you fill up the 32MB that are included, which will probably never happen. It’s available now from a smorgasbord of legitimate online retailers. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Genius G-Shot HD520 camcorder does 720p for $149

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Genius G-Shot HD520 camcorder does 720p for $149 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Granted, this was totally expected, but we can’t possibly be more excited to see such a peripheral emerge before the Micro Four Thirds segment even has a chance to blossom. Cosina, parent company of Voigtländer, has just introduced a new adapter which aims to make Micro Four Thirds cameras (you know, like Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-G1) compatible with a slew of existing Voigtländer, Leica and Carl Zeiss lenses. Unfortunately, we’re told that the device is mechanical only, which could cause issues with some of the more advanced features that require tight knit camera-lens communication. Head on past the break for a full list of suitable lenses, and feel free to ping your favorite Japanese importer with a mailing address and at least ¥19,800 ($205).

[Via Wired]

Continue reading Voigtländer adapter expands lens pool for Micro Four Thirds cameras

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Voigtländer adapter expands lens pool for Micro Four Thirds cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanks Best Buy, we owe you (another) one. Yet again, the big box retailer everyone loves to hate has provided the world with a glimpse of a heretofore unannounced product, and this one’s got our mouths all kinds of damp. Barely a month after Cisco picked up Pure Digital for a small fortune, the Flip Video Ultra HD — which seems to be the natural successor to the standard Ultra — has already begun to hit select store shelves in America. Notable niceties include an HDMI output, 120 minutes of record time (up from 60 minutes), a removable / rechargeable battery and support for AA cells in a pinch. We’re still waiting for the full rundown of specifications (and the price, too), but feel free to tap the read link for a stellar unboxing in the meanwhile.

Update: Looks like it’s going for $199.99. Thanks Matthies!

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Flip Video Ultra HD makes its unofficial debut, gets unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, well — what have we here? With 24 hours to go before Nikon’s D5000 hits the streets (at least at Amazon), one lucky soul has managed to stumble upon one early. The D5000 kit, which contains Nikon’s first DSLR with an articulating display, has been officially unboxed in glorious fashion, and Kadath’s Flickr account also shows a few test shots for those curious about image quality. We’re expecting one of these into our own labs any moment now, but for the time being, hit up the read link to enjoy the early-bird spoils.

[Thanks, Sam]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon’s D5000 DSLR unboxed ahead of schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wow, it’s been a great day for camera nerds — the Nikon D5000 got a ship date, the Canon Rebel T1i started arriving in stores, and now the Panasonix Lumix DMC-GH1’s been unboxed. That’s a hat trick of hotly-anticipated DSLRs* right there, and the GH1 might be the most anticipated of the bunch. Sadly for would-be importers, the Japanese version here can’t be set to display English menus, but we can still gawk at the pretty pictures, including an amazing shot of the lens cap entitled “The Engadget Product Photo Effect.” Hit the read link for the full set, including some test shots.

*Yes, we know GH1’s not technically a DSLR — what would you call it?

[Thanks, Guillermo]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets unboxed, takes some test shots originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, the Nikon D5000 might have gotten itself a ship date today, but Canon’s Rebel T1i is doing one better and actually turning up in stores a couple weeks ahead of its scheduled mid-May debut. This particular specimen was spotted at Bromfield Camera in Boston, but we’d love to hear if you’ve seen this guy pop up elsewhere — let us know!

[Thanks, Conrado]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon Rebel T1i trickling out to stores originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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