Saturday, July 26, 2008

Nikon’s D700 DSLR now shipping to the US

Nikon’s D700 DSLR now shipping to the US

Nikon D700 DSLR



As promised, Nikon has started shipping its newest camera, the 12-megapixel D700 DSLR. The D700 is already listed at Ritz Camera and is retailing for $2,999.99 (body only). Ritz Camera said that it’s got limited supply of the D700 so if you’re keen on getting this new camera, you better hurry up and reserve your unit now. The store promises to deliver the D700 within 24 hours after an order is placed.



Looking back at our previous coverage of the D700, we told you that this camera packs a 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor complemented by Nikon’s EXPEED image processing technology, an ISO sensitivity of up to 6,400, continuous shooting speed of 5fps, a 3-inch VGA color display with 170-degree wide-angle viewing, two live shooting modes. In addition, the D700 is encased in magnesium alloy body. It also employs the Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System and Nikon’s Scene Recognition System. This is also Nikon’s first DSLR that comes with a built-in flash.




(Via Gadgetell.)

Samsung L310W Review

Samsung L310W Review

SAMSUNG L310W


Following the success of Samsung’s L series cameras, the stylish L310W features a 13.6 megapixel capture resolution, 28mm 3.6x wide optical zoom len, accessible through 2.7″ LCD screen. The factory also embeds face detection feature which will automatically adjust exposure and focus to enhance the quality of portraits. It is still good even for group shots. It has unique beauty shot mode that retouches facial skin for brighter and smoother skin tone when smiling faces are detected. L310W will be available in September for £199. Perfect daily pocket camera for average users.

(Via The Digital Camera Blog.)

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Sigma DP1 is a technical marvel, but that’s about it

The Sigma DP1 is a technical marvel, but that’s about it

sigmadp1


One month and change after DP Review gave the Sigma DP1 a so-so review, David Pogue now offers his two cents. Like DP Review, Pogue likes the SLR-in-a-point-and-shoot’s body, but says it’s not the end-all, be-all for the concept.


The Sigma DP1, in case you don’t remember, essentially puts an SLR sensor inside a point-and-shoot’s body, to mixed results.


While Pogue admits that the camera is a technical marvel, it doesn’t deliver as well as we might like. The lens doesn’t zoom; it’s too slow for proper action shots; the RAW files don’t work with PhotoShop; there’s no viewfinder, and the LCD washes out easily; and there’s no lens cap, for Pete’s sake.


Best advice: tread lightly with this one.



(Via CrunchGear.)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Panasonic DMC-LX3 Camera

Panasonic DMC-LX3 Camera

Panasonic%20DMC-LX3%20Camera.jpg


Panasonic has introduced its new LUMIX Camera model called the DMC-LX3. Delivering an easy and high-performance shooting even in low-light conditions; Panasonic DMC-LX3 Digital Camera features a 10.1 mega pixel lens and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD.



‘With the strong response towards the DMC-LX2, Panasonic has taken its technology a step further by upgrading several key components that we think will make the LX3 another win,’ said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. ‘With the enhanced CCD and extensive manual and automatic functions, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for photographers looking for a full-featured compact digital camera with some DSLR-like characteristics and a wide-range of optional accessories.’



The DMC-LX3 reproduces images in three aspect rations – 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. Incorporating the Venus Engine IV, the camera provides more advanced signal processing technology for higher quality images. Some advanced features of the DMC-LX3 include Face Detection, Digital Red-Eye Correction, Intelligent Exposure, Intelligent ISO and Quick AF.



Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 Digital Camera will be available in the market from August 2008 onwards at a retail price of $ 499.95 in two colors options viz. silver and black.



(Via Image-Acquire.com.)

Adobe Premiere Elements 4 Review

Quick rundown:

Pros: Simple and easy to use, but with the flexibility to create more complex videos.

Cons: No AVCHD support, yet.

Adobe Premiere Elements 4

Adobe makes it easy to create quick, appealing home movies with the latest installment of Adobe Premiere Elements. A slick interface, better integration with Photoshop Elements, and better support for Flash-based sites like YouTube make Adobe Premiere Elements 4 a great choice for video projects, but the current lack of AVCHD support makes it a product I cannot fully endorse for anyone wanting to edit non-HDV video.

(more…)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Panasonic DMC-LX3 Camera

Panasonic DMC-LX3 Camera

Panasonic%20DMC-LX3%20Camera.jpg


Panasonic has introduced its new LUMIX Camera model called the DMC-LX3. Delivering an easy and high-performance shooting even in low-light conditions; Panasonic DMC-LX3 Digital Camera features a 10.1 mega pixel lens and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD.



‘With the strong response towards the DMC-LX2, Panasonic has taken its technology a step further by upgrading several key components that we think will make the LX3 another win,’ said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. ‘With the enhanced CCD and extensive manual and automatic functions, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for photographers looking for a full-featured compact digital camera with some DSLR-like characteristics and a wide-range of optional accessories.’



The DMC-LX3 reproduces images in three aspect rations – 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. Incorporating the Venus Engine IV, the camera provides more advanced signal processing technology for higher quality images. Some advanced features of the DMC-LX3 include Face Detection, Digital Red-Eye Correction, Intelligent Exposure, Intelligent ISO and Quick AF.



Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 Digital Camera will be available in the market from August 2008 onwards at a retail price of $ 499.95 in two colors options viz. silver and black.



(Via Image-Acquire.com.)

Panasonic reveals DMC-FZ28 megazoom, DMC-LX3 and DMC-FX37

Panasonic reveals DMC-FZ28 megazoom, DMC-LX3 and DMC-FX37



Shortly after Samsung unveiled its summer stable of cameras, along comes Panasonic with a new trio of its own. Kicking things off is the zoom-infatuated DMC-FZ28, which features a remarkable 18x optical zoom, 10.1-megapixel sensor, Intelligent Auto Mode, Auto Focus and a 27-millimeter wide-angle lens. Moving on, we see the DMC-LX2's rightful successor -- the unimaginatively named LX3 -- which lands in August alongside the aforementioned FZ28. Said shooter packs a 10.1-megapixel sensor, F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens and the ability to capture 720p movies at 24fps. Bringing up the rear is the pocket-friendly LUMIX DMC-FX37 (due in September), which touts a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC lens, 10.1-megapixel sensor (are you sensing a trend?), a 5x optical zoom and 720p movie mode. Ready for the sting(s)? Try $449.99, $499.95 and $349.95 in order of mention.

(Via Engadget.)

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Fujifilm Launches Z20fd Social Network: Because cameras need community too

Fujifilm Launches Z20fd Social Network: Because cameras need community too



In what can only be described as a grand experiment, Fujifilm has teamed up with Ning.com to create a social network, ZSpotNow.com, based around a single digital camera. The Z20fd is a 10-megapixel point and shoot that comes in multiple fun colors and a special blog mode that reduces and resizes images for upload to blogs and email lists. It also records MPEG4 video and can upload directly to YouTube.


Do all of these attributes make for good social network fodder? Fujifilm’s concept - to wrap a series of events inside a social network - is quite interesting. Using Ning’s new event feature they’ve scheduled three concerts in Miami, NYC, and Los Angeles. The bands and DJs associated with each event will be encouraged to drop content into the social network and various widgets will spread the good word virally. Users will be able to chat and upload pictures and video from the event.


I asked the team why focus on one camera and I got a fairly stock answer: because the camera is, in short, designed for social networkers. While it’s admirable that Fujifilm sees the value of the medium, I suppose this is simply one of the little bangs on the way to the big bang that will happen when a mass-market player - I’m thinking someone like Voodoo or Alienware - creates a social network for their whole brand and not just one device.


As Louis Gray points out, social networks are the new ‘websites.’ It’s not enough to have a web presence because the analytics and stickiness just aren’t there. To build a network of passionate people is a goldmine for marketers and, if played correctly, makes customers feel part of a bigger movement. Would someone like Apple or Microsoft ever create a ‘Friends of Steve’ social network? Probably not - the feelings are already running too hot when it comes to those two. But someone like Steelseries, the small gaming hardware company with a rabid gamer following, could build a thriving social network. I only dread the day when I see ‘Questions or comments? Tweet mortonssalt at twitter.com. When it rains it pours’ on the back of my salt box.




(Via CrunchGear.)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Samsung gets official with 14.7MP TL34HD point-and-shoot

Samsung gets official with 14.7MP TL34HD point-and-shoot



So the rumor mill wasn't too far off on this one: Samsung is indeed cranking out a 14.7-megapixel point-and-shoot, but the US name will be TL34HD. While it's hard to say if nearly 15-megapixels in a shooter this size is overkill (though signs are pointing to 'yes'), users will also find a Schneider lens with a 28mm wide-angle focal length and 3.6x optical zoom to complement the 3-inch VGA monitor around back. Furthermore, the cam features a 720p movie mode at 30fps, and you'll likely be thrilled to know that the movie stabilizer and optical zoom can be used while logging clips. Check out the full array of specs after the jump, and feel free to try one yourself this September for $329.95.


Continue reading Samsung gets official with 14.7MP TL34HD point-and-shoot



(Via Engadget.)

Monday, July 14, 2008

Casio's EXILIM EX-Z150 makes the 3-inch LCD ordinary

Casio's EXILIM EX-Z150 makes the 3-inch LCD ordinary



It wasn't too long ago that you'd find a 3-inch LCD only on the backside of flagship, point-and-shoot cameras. Casio's new EX-Z150 features that biggie LCD plus CCD-shift image stabilization, a 28-mm wide angle lens, 4x optical zoom, an 8.1 megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD, and face detection all from a camera that sits somewhere well south of the top of the EXILIM Zoom-series. And since this is the age of self-immolation by video humiliation, the EX-Z150 also features a YouTube capture mode -- branded marketing-speak for saying that it shoots 640 x 480 at 30fps for up to 10 minutes at a time. All this in a slim, 20.1-mm package tapering down to 18.9-mm. No date, price, or availability announced yet but we expect to hear more shortly.

(Via Engadget.)