Digital Cameras Reviews

Archive for July, 2009

Nikon’s D300s seems to be having a hard time staying out of the viewfinder of other cameras, as the DSLR has popped up both in a nondescript close-up shot and in the hands of the president of a Nikon distributor at a Nikon Club gather in the Philippines. Same observations as last time, from what we can tell it’s got the same body as the D300 but with holes that suggest a mic input below the logo, although we’ve seen hints of a SD card slot in previous leaks. As for when we’ll be seeing the official debut, Nikon Rumors has a pretty good track record when it comes to these things, and it’s reporting with near-absolute certainty that the company has lined up a press conference that’ll take place either July 29th in the UK or 30th in Stockholm, Sweden, and a second date for August 4th in Sweden. The first event is expected to be the unveiling for D300s and D3000 and the second some new point and shoots — or it could be the other way around. Either way, with any luck all these uncertainties will work themselves out by the end of next week at the latest.

Read – D300s caught at Nikon Club gathering
Read – Another shot of D300s in the wild
Read – Nikon rumors and expectations for next week (recap)

Filed under: Digital Cameras

More Nikon D300s sightings in lead up to rumored July 30th announcement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We just got a brief glimpse at the new PlayStation Eye-based augmented reality EyePet game from Sony, which is on track for a holiday release on the PS3. It’s no Project Natal, but what the game lacks in gesture-based interaction (though we were able to pet and play with the little guy pretty intuitively) it makes up for in extensive adorability. You can naturally play, feed, groom and customize your pet — even teach the thing to draw shapes and bring them to life in a sense — but it’s surprisingly fun to just watch the little dude scamper around in seemingly real space. The title will be available both as a standalone game and as a bundle with the PlayStation Eye. Check out a video of the game in an early beta state after the break, and you can find Joystiq‘s E3 impressions of the game here.

Continue reading Sony’s EyePet beta hands-on: it’s probably the most adorable thing ever

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Gaming

Sony’s EyePet beta hands-on: it’s probably the most adorable thing ever originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re in the market for a superzoom, and you’ve already decided that none of those Micro Four Thirds options will sway you, it looks as if you’ll be hard pressed to find a superior alternative to Panasonic’s minty fresh Lumix DMC-FZ35 (FZ38 in some regions). Both TrustedReviews and PhotographyBLOG managed to score a unit for review, and both outlets came away generally impressed. The former concluded that the outfit’s newest 18x zoomer was only marginally changed from its predecessor, but those who skipped on over the FZ28 should certainly give this one a look. In fact, it straight up confessed that to “get anything better than this, you’ll have to move up to a DSLR.” You may notice that this bugger doesn’t offer the greatest zoom nor the most megapixels in its class, but the stellar image quality and even more stirring video mode kept critics from suggesting any of those more marketable rivals. Don’t believe us? Check the read links below for all the proof you can handle.

[Thanks, TheLostSwede]

Read – TrustedReviews’ take
Read – PhotographyBLOG review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 superzoom reviewed: crème de la crème originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to bolster your home surveillance setup with something sure to survive power outages, harsh weather conditions and / or zombie invasions? Then you may want to accept no less than this new All Weather Cellular Camera now available from Brickhouse Security, which promises to provide just about everything you’d expect from a surveillance system in an entirely self-contained unit. That includes a PIR body heat-activated nightvision camera (just 1.3-megapixels, but you can’t be too picky in these cases), 50 infrared flash bulbs, a built-in tactical laser to ensure it’s pointing at just the right spot, a CompactFlash card slot to store images in case the cellular network goes down, and a 6V battery that promises to last for four to six weeks (which can be doubled with an optional second battery), to name but a few features. Naturally, none of that comes cheap and, at $599, you may want to consider a second camera to keep an eye on the first.

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

All Weather Cellular Camera is an all weather cellular camera originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic is going at it from all angles today, with three new 12.1 megapixel LUMIX cameras with surprisingly distinct aims:

• LUMIX FZ35 (pictured) – The requisite “superzoom” of every lineup, the FZ35 doesn’t disappoint on features, but the $400 pricepoint certainly pushes the limits of “consumer” camera. Features include 18x zoom and HD video recording, including a Creative Movie Mode with shutter speed and aperture settings for video. It also expands on typical facial recognition functionality with a “Baby mode” for… finding babies.
• LUMIX FP8 – While it can handle HD video, the FP8 is more about looks. Still, the 12.1 megapixel sensor and 4.6x zoom aren’t bad for the form factor — though the $300 pricetag isn’t nothing.
• LUMIX ZR1 – Featuring the “world’s first 0.3mm thin aspherical lens,” the ZR1 manages a full 8x optical zoom while keeping its girlish figure when extended. There’s also room for a 12.1 megapixel sensor. The cam goes for $280.

All the cameras pack optical image stabilization and facial recognition, and the ZR1 and FZ35 have a “High Dynamic Mode” which presumably emulates HDR photography to some extent. All three will be out in September. Full PR is after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic’s new LUMIX consumer lineup: the high-powered FZ35, fashionable FP8 and thin-lensed ZR1

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic’s new LUMIX consumer lineup: the high-powered FZ35, fashionable FP8 and thin-lensed ZR1 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn’t want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back — so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We’ll be handing out a new gadget every day to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we’ve got a swank GigaPan Epic Imager on offer, ideal for capturing those landscapes in ways you’ve only dreamed about. Read the rules below (no skimming — we’re omniscient and can tell when you’ve skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!

Big thanks to GigaPan for providing the gear!

The rules:

• Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for “fixing” the world economy, that’d be sweet too.
• You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you’ll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
• If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you’ll be fine.
  
• Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
• Winner will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) GigaPan Epic Imager. Approximate retail value is $299.99.
• If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
• Entries can be submitted until Friday, July 24st, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
• Full rules can be found here.

Continue reading Engadget’s recession antidote: win a GigaPan Epic Imager!

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets

Engadget’s recession antidote: win a GigaPan Epic Imager! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The high definition-helmetcam wars are heating up. We recently tested the VholdR’s sleek ContourHD 720p goggle-mounted shooter and definitely enjoyed it… but you know us: always looking for more. More is what the GoPro HD Hero Wide looks set to offer, with full 1080p recording at 30fps; a first in the extreme camera segment and not something frequently found in a device this small. Just as impressive is a 720p at 60fps recording mode, perfect for catching every detail of your aerials and varials — and subsequent faceplants. We’re still not particularly fond of the “cube on the head” look of the thing, but that cube will at least now contain an 1100mAh battery, said to offer a solid two to three hours of battery life. Quite a package, and while the expected package price of $299 is $100 more than the company’s current offerings, it’s still solid value. No word on when this will be showing up at the supercross scene.

[Photo courtesy of Freeskier Magazine, thanks Chad]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

GoPro offers 1080p high-def in a little helmetcam with the HD Hero Wide originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, you can get a relatively compact camera with a nice built-in 10x, 15x, or even 20x optical zoom, but where’s the fun in that? This new so-called Avatar Digital Binocular Sports camera, however, will never be saddled with labels like “boring” or “practical.” It’s big selling point, as you can see, is 21x optical zoom that gets further bolstered by a blinding 40x digital zoom, all of which apparently must be managed without such niceties as auto focus. On the business end of the equation is a 2-megapixel camera with a 2.5-inch LCD, which just so happens to also double as a full-fledged media player with a curiously familiar-looking interface (check it out after the break). The best news? It’s available to order right now for just $128, or even less if you buy ‘em in bulk. Never to early to start that holiday shopping.

[Via Red Ferret]

Continue reading Avatar Digital Binocular Sports camera is a little bit KIRF-y, a little bit crazy

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Avatar Digital Binocular Sports camera is a little bit KIRF-y, a little bit crazy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sophomore slump? Fuhgetaboutit. After announcing its very first projectors last year with little to no fanfare at all, Vivitek is looking to get everyone’s attention with an all new 1080p model that should hit US retail outlets this August. If all goes well, the company’s H1080FD will hit just before CEDIA kicks off, and it’ll be based on Texas Instruments’ S450 chip / light-engine design with Dark Chip II technology. Other specs include 1,800 lumens of brightness, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, a pair of HDMI ports, composite / S-Video / component inputs, an RS-232c control connector and a 12v trigger — in other words, even the so-called AV junkie should find plenty to adore. If you’re curious just how big of a deal this is in the sector, just have a look at how stoked Sanyo was to introduce an entry-level 1080p beamer 11 months ago at twice this price.

[Via AboutProjectors]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Vivitek to shake up HD projector market with 1080p H1080FD at $999 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that it wasn’t official when Time featured it early last week,but now Fujifilm’s now rolled out the proverbial red carpet for its FinePix Real 3D W1 camera, with a press release providing more details about both it and the Real 3D V1 8-inch picture viewer. Some of more notable features on the W1 — aside from being the touted “world’s first 3D imagine system,” of course — is a 3x optical zoom, a 3D LCD system for on-camera viewing, Dual Capture Shooting Mode for taking two shots simultaneously with different settings, and just to be perfectly clear, the ability to shoot video in three mind-blowing dimensions. Additionally, the two lens can be used for some more creative, but decidedly old-fashioned 2D photography. As for the V1 display, it’s got a 3D / 2D LCD panel with 800 x 600 resolution, supports playback of 3D pics and movies, and supports SD / SDHC. No word on what the resolution / card support is for the camera, but for now we’re gonna guess it’s at parity with the frame. If you’re wanting physical 3D prints, Fujifilm says it’ll be providing that service, doing the prints in-house and send them your way. Actual printers for purchase will come once a sustainable market exists (assuming that happens). The W1 camera and V1 frame are listed with a September 2009 launch date, as we previously heard — price is curiously listed as TBA, but since Time already let slip a $600 estimate, take that as your ballpark estimate for the interim.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Fujifilm’s FinePix Real 3D W1 camera and Real 3D V1 picture viewer detailed, can do 3D movies as well originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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