Maximum PC camera RSS Feed

Pentax Reveals Optio X90 (Beauty) and Optio W90 (Beast)

Paul Lilly — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:42:21 -0600

If you're familiar with commercial jingles, then you've heard Timex boast it can take a licking and keep on ticking. Well, Pentax just released a new digital camera that can take abusing and keep on shooting.

We're talking about the rugged Optio W90, a 12.1 megapixel digicam Pentax claims can withstand up to 20 feet of water, is shockproof up to 4 feet, and has no trouble with sub-freezing temperatures. When you're not abusing the W90, you can preview pics on its 2.7-inch LCD with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, capture movies in 720p HD at 30fps, and hook it up to living room display with its HDMI output.

Pentax also announced a more traditional Optio X90. This too comes with a 12.1MP sensor, as well as a 2.7-inch LCD with an anti-reflection coating, Triple Shake Reduction technology, high speed continuous shooting up to 11fps, and a 26X megazoom, super-telephoto lens (26-676mm equivalent).

Both the W90 and X90 will be available in April for $330 and $400, respectively.

Image Credit: Pentax

Sony's Cyber-shot TX5 can Surf or Turf (Water, Shock Resistant)

Paul Lilly — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:18:07 -0600

Sony's just-announced TX5 Cyber-shot digital camera might just be a dream come true for clumsy or masochistic photographers.

Unlike your wimpy point-n-shoot, the TX5 can be dunked in up to 10 feet of water, which means you can safely take it snorkeling and capture the underwater world in photos, panoramic shots, or 720p HD video.

Sony also claims its TX5 is freeze-proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, so once you're finished with your vacation in Hawaii, you can head over to Aspen and take it on the slopes. And should a sand storm blow through the Colorado mountains (or in areas you're much more likely to be caught up in such a scenario), the TX5 is dust proof. It's also shock-proof and able to withstand drops from about 5 feet.

"Only Sony can deliver a technology packed, ultra slim, fashionable T-series camera that is also durable. Until now, you couldn't have it all in one camera," said Kelly Davis, director of the Digital Imaging business on Sony Electronics.

Available in silver, black, pink, green, and red, look for the TX5 to ship this April for around $350.

Image Credit: Sony

Polaroid Brings Back Instant Film, DeLorean Nowhere in Sight

Paul Lilly — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:52:01 -0600

It was beginning to look like you kids raised on your fancy digital cameras with touchscreen LCD displays would never know what it's like to snap a pic and have a hard copy in your hand seconds later. If that sounds at all exciting, then set aside your Nikon CoolPix and get ready for Polaroid's PIC 1000, a rejuvenated version of the now archaic OneStep camera.

Made possible through a "strategic relationship with Summit Global Group, a longtime Polaroid partner, and The Impossible Project, the manufacturer of classic film for Polaroid film cameras," the PIC 1000 will come in a range of "fun colors" (including a 70s wooden throwback) and use that familiar Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film. Yes, the same film that also works in your retired classic Polaroid.

No word yet on price, but look for the comeback-cam at national retailers sometime this year.

For those of you not digging the photo flashback, Polaroid also announced its newest ZINK-enabled shooter, the Instant Digital Camera. This one sports a 12MP sensor and 3x4-inch prints.

Image Credit: Gizmodo

Eye-Fi Unveils Bigger, Better, Faster Wireless SD Card

Pulkit Chandna — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:10:17 -0600

One recurring criticism of Eye-Fi's Wi-Fi SD cards has been their slow upload speeds. But the all new Eye-Fi Pro X2 unveiled today promises brisker uploads. The Eye-Fi Pro X2 features an 802.11n radio besides a revamped antenna design, resulting in faster uploads and increased Wi-Fi range. The card itself is said to boast faster read/write speeds thanks to the propriety X2 engine, which also helps it deliver Class 6 performance.

Next on the list of enhancements is greater storage space: the Pro X2 features 8GB space instead of the current 4GB. Apart from directly transferring images and videos to a computer, it is also possible to wirelessly upload them to a host of photo and video sharing sites. The new Endless Memory mode can help optimize storage space by deleting “files that have been safely uploaded, beginning with the oldest - even when the card is not connected to a network.” You can pre-order the card now for $150.

Rumor: Next iPhone to Pack 5 Megapixel Camera

Ryan Whitwam — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:12:35 -0600

It’s getting to be the time of the year when iPhone rumors start showing up. Sure enough, DigiTimes is reporting that the next generation of Apple’s successful smartphone will rock a 5 megapixel autofocus camera. The current 3GS model has a 3.2 megapixel sensor. DigiTimes was also responsible for breaking the news of the 3GS camera this time last year.

The hardware will reportedly be supplied by OmniVision, just like the current sensor is. The 5 MP sensor should be the same size as the 3.2 MP version in use, about 1/4 inch, but have better low-light performance. This particular camera hardware is also capable of taking full 1080p video at 30 fps. This is a massive jump over the VGA resolution video in the current iPhone. But remember, just because the hardware is capable, doesn’t mean Apple will enable it in the final product.

Sony Shows Off Primitive Surface Computer, Pats Self On Back

Ryan Whitwam — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:47:14 -0600

Color us a little confused by this one. Sony has been showing off a surface computer of sorts. The system was constructed with Atracsys and utilizes a camera to track the locations of your fingers, meaning you don’t have to physically touch anything. For some reason, it’s being shown off on a table top… that you touch.

Sony/ Atracsys also showed how the camera system can track facial movements and even calculate mood. The point seems to be that you could interact with a computer without actually touching it. This would be invaluable in an operating room, for example, where sterility must be maintained. Sort of like Natal on the Xbox, apparently. Despite what they’re saying the camera tracking is capable of, Sony is making it look like a glorified Microsoft Surface. Check out the story link above to see the demo video.

Scanner and Old Lens Used in DIY 130-Megapixel Camera

Andy Salisbury — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:26:02 -0500

While the concept of a scanner being reworked into a camera isn’t entirely new, someone creating one that can take photos at 130-megapixels is.

A yet unnamed Japanese man with some tech know-how was able to create this beastly camera by fusing a 1200 dpi Epson GT-S620 scanner and old Cannon FD 50mm lens together. He says that he chose this scanner because it has a CCD sensor, uses a camera-like lens and has LED lighting.

If you want to see photos taken by the camera, you can check out his Flickr stream here.

Image Credit: Spyuge

Flip MinoHD

Gordon Mah Ung — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:55:05 -0500

We’re big fans of Flip Video’s incredibly easy-to-use pocket-size video cameras, but it’s been difficult to wholeheartedly recommend them given the superior video capabilities of today’s point-and-shoot digicams.

Flip’s new MinoHD changes that. This svelte camera is the same size as the standard-def Mino (4”x2”x.06”) but can record an hour of H.264-encoded 1280x720 720p video. The quality of the video ranges from fair to good, with noticeable video compression occurring on occasion. The MinoHD puts digicams and other SD-resolution microcams to shame; however, it’s not the right choice for enthusiasts who put a premium on image quality. Footage shot with an HDV 1080i or even 720p cam will easily outclass the MinoHD.

But that’s not what the MinoHD is about. This camera is all about spontaneity—the ability to whip out a camera at a moment’s notice in order to capture HD video and share it. While larger-format cameras certainly produce better-quality video, they won’t satiate the needs of your inner voyeur. Want to grab video of your buddy falling down a flight of stairs and get it on the Internet ASAP? The MinoHD will record the event in all its HD glory, and you can upload and edit your mini masterpiece from any computer with an Internet connection.

Once you’ve shot your video, flip out the built-in USB port, plug it into a PC, and you can upload the video as fast as your Internet connection will allow. The built-in app even has rudimentary titling and trimming capabilities. There are a few downsides, however: The camera is in bad need of a stabilizer and the composite-out video is a disappointment, but these issues don’t outweigh the fun you’ll have with this camera.