For many photographers, in-camera WiFi may be an attractive feature before you leave the store, but confusing setup and limited functionality reduce its appeal once you actually go and try to use it. Panasonic sets out to better take advantage of wireless connectivity with its Lumix FX90, adding Android and iPhone app support for transferring pictures and video directly to a mobile device, then uploading them to Lumix Club — a cloud-based photo-sharing service — and on to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.
You can also share photos directly from the camera — a dedicated WiFi button launches a menu prompting you to select a sharing service — but app support brings the added benefit of your phone’s data connection. Beyond those new wireless features, the FX90 includes a 12 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x, 24-120mm optical zoom lens, 3-inch touchscreen, and 1080i AVCHD video capture. The FX90 will ship this fall with pricing yet to be announced, but jump past the break for the full rundown from Panasonic in the meantime.
Source: Engadget
Sony has just released a salvo of cameras, and within that rather elite group, the Alpha 77 (a77) sits at the top. The new a77 is the Sony a700 successor, and has a 24.3 Megapixel sensor, but although this number is impressive, it has other features that are even more interesting.
Video capture with auto-focus: First, this camera has a stationary translucent mirror that lets light go to the main sensor and the auto-focus sensor at the same time. This means that the mirror does not have to ever move the mirror. This is particularly interesting for capturing video with full auto-focus.
Although it is possible to work around it, the lack of auto-focus is a huge weakness of DSLR video shooting in my opinion.Electronic OLED viewfinder: Now, the “downside” is that the a77 uses an electronic viewfinder, which some people don’t like. This is not new in the Sony alpha line, but Sony has replaced the LCD viewfinder by an OLED viewfinder, which should be better (higher resolution, faster refresh rate). I haven’t tried the new viewfinder for myself, but this is something to check ASAP.
12FPS burt mode, high ISO: The Sony a77 is capable of capturing 12 frames per second (with continuous auto-focus) in full 24.3 Megapixel resolution. If you are in a low-light situation, the camera can go up to 16000 ISO in terms of light sensitivity (some noise will be added to the photo, beware).
Tilt display: The a77 still has physical properties that most DLSR lack, like the tilt display that lets one shoot from an “above the head” position with ease. This is very useful in a crowded environment for example.
Kit: And finally, we have learned that the “kit lens” will be a 16-50mm f2.8 lens. Usually kit lenses are 18-55 f3.5-5.6 lenses, which are very basic. The lower the f-stop number, and the more light is coming into the lens, which is great for action photography, or low-light photography. The Sony alpha 77 will retail for $1399 (body) to $2000 (with a kit lens).
If you want an upgrade from your usual point & shoot camera but intimidated from using a dSLR, here is the answer! The pink Sony Alpha NEX-C3 features interchangeable lens, is a step up from the usual digital cameras yet is not as complex as dSLRs. This pink camera has 16.2 megapixel resolution shooting for high quality images and captures up to 5.5 frames per second.
You can also shoot high definition videos of up to 720p. Its tiltable 3-inch LCD screen allows you to take photos from varying points of view. Best of all, it’s very lightweight so you can bring it with you all the time and capture different moments. This pink Sony Alpha offers more than you can imagine!
When the Lumix GF1 was released less than a year after Micro Four Thirds first made its debut, it made a huge splash for its size, image quality, and versatility. Problem is, Panasonic set the bar very high for future GF-series models, and has sadly come up short with its latest update, positioning the GF3 ($600 with 14-42mm kit lens) as an upgrade for compact camera owners while leaving enthusiasts longing for much more. DPReview took the GF3 to task, publishing a very comprehensive review while finding that while Panasonic’s latest ILC is a good fit for some photographers, more advanced users will likely be disappointed — especially if they’re expecting a rangefinder-like successor to the GF1.
We spent a few hours with a pre-production GF3 earlier this summer, and weren’t blown away by its performance. When testing against the class-leading Sony NEX-C3, we found the Sony camera to offer faster focusing, better high-ISO performance, more accurate white balance, and better image quality overall. So unless you’re really gunning to save 50 bucks on an ILC with a kit zoom (or you already have a collection of Micro Four Thirds lenses), the $650 C3 is definitely the better bet.
Sure, these days nearly all digital cameras can shoot video, but only a small handful give you the power to manually select aperture and shutter speed while doing so. The Lumix FZ47 is Panasonic’s latest high-end point-and-shoot to sport this functionality, providing full control over both video and still photo capture with its Creative Control mode. The 12.1-megapixel superzoom can shoot 1080i HD at 30 fps, though it’s notably lacking in the 1080p department.
There’s also a 3-inch LCD, 24x Leica zoom lens with a 25mm wide-angle focal length, and an option to shoot 3.5-megapixel stills while recording video. For photographers wiling to settle for a good deal less power, Panasonic also just announced its entry-level Lumix LS5, which includes a 14.1-megapixel sensor, optical image stabilization, and 720p video, all powered by a pair of AA batteries. The $400 FZ47 will ship next month, while the LS5 hits stores in November, with pricing yet to be announced. Jump past the break for the complete rundown from Panasonic.
It sure feels like *–proof cameras are the new black. We’re seeing loads of shockproof, waterproof, dustproof cameras available lately, and Ricoh’s latest PX camera fits the bill. The Ricoh PX is a compact digital camera that packs a 5.0x wide-angle (28mm) and telephoto (140mm) optical zoom, a 16-million-pixel CCD Sensor, and Smooth Imaging Engine IV image processing engine for high-quality photos.
It has a 2.7″ 230k-dot high-contrast LCD display, with a wide viewing angle and anti-fingerprint protection and coating that prevents it from scratches. It is also anti-reflective to ensure that it can be seen under bright outdoor lighting. The camera can also shoot HD movies (1280 x 720) and supports X2-series Eye-Fi SD memory cards for wireless photo sharing. To top it off, the camera has a JIS/IEC protection rating (equivalent to IP68) and can survive a drop from 1.5meters. It is also water-resistant and shock-resistant which makes its suitable for bringing on your adventures.
We’ve been (impatiently) waiting for Sony to update its NEX line of digital cameras since the NEX-3 was discontinued earlier this year, and it looks like a worthy successor has finally been named. Announced today, the NEX-C3 appears identical to the model leaked in April, and uses the same format APS-C image sensor as its predecessor, bumping resolution to 16.2 megapixels in a camera body smaller than the NEX-5. Sony says the new entry-level cam is designed to fill the gap between point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, and is the smallest body to pack an APS-C sensor, offering DSLR-level image quality — the same 16.2 MP chip is also included in its new full-size Alpha A35, which replaces the A33. Both cameras can shoot at up to 5.5 fps (the A35 adds a 7 fps mode at 8.4 megapixels), and include 3-inch LCDs, with the NEX keeping its hallmark tilt display, and the A35 adding Sony’s Translucent Mirror live-view mode, and an electronic viewfinder. We have plenty more to share, including a new lens and flash, along with pricing and availability for all, so jump past the break for the juicy details.
In line with Sony’s goal of improving the user experience for beginners, the NEX-C3′s Photo Creativity interface simplifies the process of adjusting advanced settings, to help grow the skills of those new to DSLR shooting. Both models include new Picture Effects (like the retro look you get with those novelty smartphone apps), which will also be available for previous generation cameras via a firmware update on June 20th. The NEX-C3 ships in late July or August, and will be offered with those familiar 18-55mm and 16mm kit lenses for $649 and $599, respectively. Bodies paired with the zoom will be available in black, pink, and silver, while the camera in the fixed-lens kit will only ship in black. The A35 will hit stores in August for $699 with an 18-55mm kit lens, or $599 for the body. There’s also a new 30mm f/3.5 macro lens ($249, October) and a larger external flash ($149, August) for the NEX series. You’ll have to wait a month or two to pick up a C3 of your own, but check back for our hands-on preview later this week.
The integration of GPS technology into cameras are extremely useful – especially when you’ve taken a whole tour of Europe, and can’t really remember just where you were when that particular photo was taken. Well, Pentax has jumped aboard the GPS bandwagon with the O-GPS1 unit that will deliver basic location data alongside an array of original features. Meant for use only with Pentax digital SLR cameras (obviously), the Pentax O-GPS1 is capable of recording the latitude, longitude, altitude, coordinated universal time (UTC) and aspect of the location you are at.
Other applications include ASTROTRACER, Simple Navigation and an Electronic Compass. The ASTROTRACER function will be available when the unit is mounted on the Pentax K-5 or K-r, where it will work in tandem with the camera’s magnet-driven Shake Reduction system in order to compensate for the Earth’s rotation, hence letting you shoot stars just like how you view them instead of as star trails, although the latter has churned out some pretty pictures in the past as well.
Since it also boasts a “simplified weather-resistant construction”, the Pentax O-GPS1 is perfectly fine under light rain, making it the perfect companion to the K-5 camera and WR lenses. Expect the Pentax O-GPS1 to retail for £229.99 from the middle of this month onwards, while us living on the other side of the pond will have to wait until next month at a $249.95 price point.
You know the drill: Panasonic introduces a perfectly capable camera, and a few months later Leica tweaks a few angles, paints it black, and slaps its iconic logo on its own version of it — admittedly, changes that make all the difference in terms of design. In this case it’s the Panasonic ZS10 that’s gotten revamped as Leica’s new V-LUX 30, a followup to its V-LUX 20 compact.
At $749, this is actually one of Leica’s more affordable offerings, but that will still only buy you the exact same guts as its $400 (or less) Panasonic counterpart: a 15.1 megapixel sensor, 16x optical zoom, 1080i video recording, a 3-inch LCD ’round back, and built-in GPS for geotagging. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and look for the camera to be available in June.
There are digital cameras that you simply must have! The pink Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 point and shoot digital camera has a flat and compact design but packed with features. It has 4x optical zoom and up to 7.8 extra optical zoom plus sonic speed auto focus to help you quickly take photos of moving objects or action shots. You can also shoot HD movies or videos using this camera. Most of all, this pink digital camera has extended battery life which is a feature that comes in handy when traveling or being on the go.
