Digital Cameras Reviews

Archive for May, 2009

You’re already well aware of what GigaPan’s wild camera robot is capable of when its in masterly hands, but have you ever wondered if such a device is practical for folks who don’t have excellent seats for events such as Presidential inaugurations or the Arirang Mass Games? We’ve been toying around with an Epic 100 for the past week and change, and now that we’ve had a moment to upload a few of our own panoramas, we figured we’d toss our two pennies into the ring. Eager to know if this gigapixel image creator is really worth its avoirdupois in cold, hard cash? Head on past the break to find out.

Continue reading GigaPan Epic 100 hands-on and review, panorama style

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

GigaPan Epic 100 hands-on and review, panorama style originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Momma always said you couldn’t have your cake and eat it to, and we suppose it’s just about time we stop resisting and just believed. Olympus’ decidedly compact E-450 was recently reviewed over at PhotographyBLOG, and while image quality was satisfactory for a camera of its stature, it was indubitably missing a few key ingredients. Most notably, the inexplicable lack of image stabilization and the inability to handle video were lamented, and the rudimentary 3-point AutoFocus was called “frankly obsolete for a 2009 model.” Indeed, critics pointed out that the E-620 would likely be a far superior choice for those who didn’t mind the additional weight and cost, but even if the E-450 was at the top of your budget, we didn’t really get the impression that it was a surefire winner. Check the read link for the full spill.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus E-450 compact DSLR gets reviewed: entry-level through and through originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nine new ones not enough for you? Not if you’re ViewSonic, who just came clean with three more in its rapidly expanding digital photo frame lineup. The 10.4-inch VFD1020, 8-inch VFD820 and 7-inch VFD720 make up the new TrueView line, which offers up a 4:3 aspect ratio and 2GB of internal memory. As for resolutions, the smaller two do their thing at 800 x 600, while the June-bound VFD1020 will kick things up to 1,024 x 768. Naturally, there’s a multicard reader for loading multimedia, and the USB 2.0 port is bound to make friends with your impenetrable Iron Drive. The trio also ships with a remote control from mixing things up from afar, with prices set for $129.99, $89.99 and $79.99 in order of mention.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays

ViewSonic intros 7-, 8- and 10.4-inch VFD20 series digiframes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

As with Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GH1, a few lucky folks who have managed to spend a few moments with Pentax’s new 14.6 megapixel K-7 have stopped to host up the results for us to drool over. Early stills are rather impressive, with images being sharp, crisp and generally delightful to stare at. As for video, it’s tough to judge the real quality based on a YouTube rendition, but feel free to glean what you can just after the break. So, if you weren’t sold already, are you now?

Read – Pentax Forums
Read – DPReview

Continue reading Sample shots and video emerge from Pentax’s K-7 DSLR

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sample shots and video emerge from Pentax’s K-7 DSLR originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Despite new cameras being riddled with borderline useless features and modes, useful functionality like automatic geotagging is getting little love from the big players. All the more reason for third parties to sneak in and make a few bucks, and ATP certainly seems to be on top of it. We liked the idea of the company’s PhotoFinder, but that base station looked like needless desk clutter. The new PhotoFinder Pro does away with it, featuring an integrated SD, Memory Stick, and MMC card reader. Just sync up the clock in the unit with that of your shooter, clip it onto your camera bag for a day of scenic photography, and then pop your card in before downloading the pics that night. It’ll automatically add coordinates to each photo’s EXIF information, drastically reducing the likelihood of future spousal arguments about the whereabouts of certain Kodak moments. That sounds like a beautiful thing, and at $119 a good deal, too.

Update: Dan commented to point out that, with the help of an external USB card reader, the PhotoFinder Pro can also tag pics on CF, xD, or any other FAT/FAT32 formatted cards you might have sliding around in the bottom of your junk drawer.

[Via Photography Blog]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, GPS

ATP PhotoFinder Pro loses the base station, takes us to geotagging nirvana originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Heard any good iPhone 3.0 rumors lately? No? That’s because they’re all here in this tidy little roundup. The latest (pictured above) is a purported top-facing bezel frame for the “Apple iPhone 3Gen 2009.” Besides being black unlike the chrome edge of the iPhone 3G, iLounge and others have noticed a repositioned ear speaker, tucked high against the top-edge that could be making way for a front-facing camera or additional sensor(s). iLounge also created a render (pictured after the break) of a 5th gen iPod nano based on information provided by a source who “has a perfect track record for accuracy.” In addition to a slightly larger screen with 1.5:1 aspect, there’s now a camera on the back; a redesign that dovetails nicely with rumors about Apple to getting serious with integrated video and digital cameras. iLounge also claims that there will be three new models (3G, enhanced 3G, and mainland China version lacking WiFi we suspect) of iPhones with matte plastic bodies less prone to scratching. Importantly, countries will get the phone appropriate to their telco’s capabilities — iLounge says users won’t have to choose between a fast and slow iPhone, they’ll get what their carriers can support. Each will ship in a choice of two capacity options with 32GB being the top-end rumored. Oh, and iPhone 3.0 will also get into the Nike+ game without requiring an adapter (like the iPod touch). These rumors ride a wave of reports that inventories of the iPhone 3G are running low and component makers are now shipping parts for the next generation iPhone. So Steve Jobs or not, we’re still expecting the hardware to be announced at WWDC with possible July 17 launch.

Read — iPhone 3.0 bezel (via iFun.de)
Read — iPod nano with camera renders, three versions of iPhone 3.0
Read — PCB makers begin shipments for new iPhone
Read — Nike+
Read — 16GB iPhone 3G listed as End of Life
Read — 32GB iPhone 3G

Continue reading Apple iPhone 3.0 rumor roundup

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Apple iPhone 3.0 rumor roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 04:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hey, it’s no autofocus, but Canon’s sent word that a free firmware update is coming for the EOS 5D Mark II that’ll enable manual exposure control while shooting video, including ISO and aperture settings and shutter speed. Excited? Yeah, us too. No word on what else the update might entail, but it looks like we won’t have to wait long either, as the company’s saying to expect the download sometime in early June.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

New Canon EOS 5D Mark II firmware to add manual exposure control for video recording originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

We always figured the digital photo frame market would have to grow up one day, and we’re thrilled to know that day is coming soon. Over in Korea, Human-Rh has apparently showcased a couple of new frames that not only up the ante in terms of panel quality but also toss in a much-needed extra: mobile TV. The 7.6-inch HDPF-760D steals the show with a gorgeous AMOLED display and a built-in DMB tuner; the 8-inch HDPF-800D sticks with the traditional LCD, but it’s available with a variety of tuners (1seg, T-DMB, DVB-T and CMMB) for regions around the globe. Naturally, both frames still do their basic duties of playing back slideshows, but the built-in WiFi also enables them to display information from internet-connected widgets. We’re told that these arrive with 2GB of integrated memory, a multicard slot and a USB port, but mum’s the word on pricing and release. Vid’s after the break.

[Via OLED-Display]

Continue reading Human-Rh digiframe packs AMOLED panel, mobile TV tuner

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays

Human-Rh digiframe packs AMOLED panel, mobile TV tuner originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

All we’ve got are these model numbers to go by, but it’s pretty clear that Sony’s cooking up a new series of Alpha DSLRs. The screengrab above (which we replicated ourselves) comes courtesy of SonyStyle Canada’s registration page. A field populated by a well-meaning, yet misguided soul since Sony has yet to announce DSLRs carrying the A500, A500S, A550, A550S monikers. It’s just a guess, but Sony’s lineup has a glaring omission when compared to the competition in the consumer DSLR space: HD Video.

[Via PhotoRumors and Dyxum]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sony Canada hints at Alpha A500 series of DSLRs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 May 2009 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung’s been dousing just about anything it can get its paws on with that ‘Touch of Color‘ design scheme, and even the outfit’s latest digiframe wasn’t able to dodge the madness. The 8-inch SPF-87H, which was originally introduced to the world back in April, is now shipping to those scouting a multifaceted digital photo frame. Unlike traditional alternatives, this 0.91-inch thick frame can double as a secondary display (via USB), and the respectable 800 x 480 resolution panel ensures that you can fit more than just a weather widget on there. Other specs include 1GB of built-in storage, an SD expansion slot, 500:1 contrast ratio and a $129 price tag.

[Via HotHardware]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays

Samsung ships $129 SPF-87H 8-inch digiframe / secondary monitor originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 May 2009 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments