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Point Grey Plans to Show Off USB 3.0 Camera at IDF

Jason Barry — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:39:51 -0500

Point Grey has developed the “world’s first” Superspeed-enabled USB 3.0 digital video camera and has plans to show it off at the Intel Developers Forum (IDF) in San Francisco next week. The camera takes advantage of the massive throughput advantages USB 3.0 is expected to offer.

As a prototype, the camera uses a Sony IMX036 CMOS image sensor capable of 3 megapixel video. The Sony sensor also boasts a raw output format streaming video at full 1080p with 60 frames per second. "One of the potential benefits of the increased bandwidth of USB 3.0 is that it allows the main processor to handle compression," explained Point Grey spokesperson Vlad Tucakov.

“This demonstration gives users insight into some of the other applications that are possible with SuperSpeed USB in addition to the high-speed data transfers with external storage devices that we have seen so far," added Jeff Ravencraft, Chairman of the USB Implementers Forum.

Canon's New EOS 7D: Bigger, Faster, Smarter, Stronger

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:46:42 -0500

Canon fired the latest salvo in the hotter-than-ever digital SLR wars this week, introducing its new EOS 7D. The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video.

The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as the APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video. Here's what's new and different.

Bigger - The EOS 7D cranks up the size of several subsystems, including

18MP image sensor
Two DIGIC 4 image processors for faster image processing and better low-light performance
ISO expandable to 12,800
100% viewfinder coverage
19-point autofocus
63 zone dual-layer metering that uses AF and color information for better exposure and image quality

Faster - Shoot faster with the EOS 7D, thanks to

8 fps burst shooting (up to 126 large JPEG or up to 15 RAW; requires Ultra DMA Compact Flash Card)
1080HD video mode now offers frame rates up to 30 fps and includes adjustable frame rates for all supported video resolutions

Smarter - The EOS 7D provides a smarter viewfinder and AF system for better information and composition

New toggleable LCD overlay for better framing and focusing even in total darkness
New Spot AF mode for focusing on tiny areas of a scene
AF Point expansion (borrowed from the EOS 1D series) automatically shifts to adjacent focus points if the selected manual focus point loses focus
Improved automatic AF point selection and Zone AF

Stronger - The EOS 7D is designed to stand up to protracted use:

Magnesium body with dust and weather resistant features
Shutter rated for up to 150,000 cycles

Lens Options, Accessories and More Information

The EOS 7D will also be bundled with Canon's 28-135mm EF IS lens, which provides framing comparable to a 45-215mm lens on a full-frame 35mm camera. The kit will sell for an estimated $1,899.

Wide-angle fans will want to consider Canon's new 15-85mm EF-S IS (24-135 35mm equivalent) and 18-135mm EF-S IS (28-215mm 35mm equivalent) lenses.

Canon's new optional WFT-E5A Wireless File Transmitter ($699.99) provides a variety of storage and backup options for the EOS 7D, including the ability to record to a USB external hard disk and an Ultra DMA Compact Flash card inside the camera at the same time, and it also supports geotagging through Bluetooth. Learn more about the EOS 7D and WFT-E5A here.

Learn more about the EOS 7D's new AF features here.

Are you excited about the new features in the 7D? Wishing it had a different mix of goodies? Click Comment and sound off.

Photo courtesy Canon USA.

Seeing Double: Samsung DualView Digicam Comes with Two LCDs

Paul Lilly — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:03:13 -0500

Samsung this week announced two new point-and-shoot digital cameras -- the TL225 and TL220 -- both of which sport two LCD screens, a 3.5-inch one on the back (slightly smaller on the TL220) and a less traditional placement on the front with a 2.5-inch display. So what's the point of a front-mounted LCD?

"With one LCD located on the front of the camera and other one on the back of the camera, photographers can now step out from behind the camera and join their subjects in the photo," Samsung wrote in a blog post.

Samsung also says the front-mounted display will come in handy for taking profile pics for social networking sites. We think it's the perfect feature who can't stop looking at themselves.

Both cameras also boast a 12.2MP, 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor, 27- to 124.2mm, f/3.5-5.9 8.6x zoom lens, and the ability to shoot 720p HD videos at 30fps.

The TL225 and TL220 will be available in September for $350 and $300 respectively.

Image Credit: Samsung via ZDNet

Confirmed: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Sports an Integrated Projector, Other Models Announced

Paul Lilly — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:41:13 -0500

We heard rumors Nikon would be releasing the world's first digital camera with a built-in projector, but didn't have much information to go on. However, we've been able to confirm the speculation with Nikon, who sent us information on not one, but four new digicams it plans to release as part of its Coolpix series.

The one everyone is talking about -- the S1000pj -- will come with an "ultra-small" integrated projector capable of beaming images 5 to 40 inches in size. Nikon advertises a flexible throw distance ranging from 10 inches on up to 78 inches (6.5 feet) with brightness rated up to 10 lumens. While using the projector, you can expect about an hour of battery life.

Other features include the ability to record movies at 640 x 480 resolution at 30fps, a 12.1 megapixel sensor, 5x wide-angle zoom, 2.7-inch high res LCD, 5-way hybrid VR image stabilization, motion detection with automatic shutter and ISO settings, up to 6400 ISO, 16 scene modes, and other odds and ends.

S570, S640, S70

Three other Coolpix cameras are also planned for a September release, starting with the sub-$200 (by a nickel) S570. For two Benjamins, the S570 boasts a 12.0 megapixel image sensor, 5x wide-angle zoom, up to ISO 3200 at full resolution, 2.7-inch LCD, 4-way VR image stabilization, and automatic focus on up to 12 faces. Nikon will offer the S570 in a variety of colors, including black, red, blue, and pink.

Moving a step up, the S640 ups the ante with a slightly larger image sensor at 12.2 megapixels, ISO from 100-6400, and a start up time of just 0.7 seconds, which Nikon claims is the fastest in its class. Offered in "Calm Black, Velour Red, Precious Pink, and Pearl White," the S640 will carry an MSRP of $250.

Finally, the S70 will sport a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen interface with a "new generation of touchscreen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience," the ability to capture HD video in 720p, a 12.1 megapixel image sensor, 5x wide-angle zoom, ISO up to 6400, 5-way image stabiliation, and more. The S70 will come in "Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black & Black, and Champagne & Light Brown," with an MSRP set at $400.

Image Credit: Nikon

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj First Digital Camera with a Projector?

Paul Lilly — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:30:53 -0500

Is that a projector in your pocket, or a Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digital camera? Perhaps both, if the latest rumor turns out to be true.

According to NikonRumors.com, the Coolpix S1000jp will be the first digital camera with a built-in projector that allows users to project photos or movie clips onto any flat surface at up to 40 inches in size. In addition to an LED projector, the Coolpix will also include a projector stand, a multi-function remote control, and other goodies.

Other details remain sparse, although preliminary specs show the new digicam sporting an effective resolution of 12.1 megapixels, a 5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, and a 28mm (equivalent) wide-angle coverage.

Look for availability sometime this September at an as-yet unannounced price.

Image Credit: NikonRumors.com

Eye-Fi Cards Jump to 4GB, Now Upload Videos

Andy Salisbury — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:54:11 -0600

If you’re any kind of fan of adding WiFi to your digital camera, you may want to check out Eye-Fi’s latest cards, which will double the previous storage cap and add support for uploading videos.

The new versions are the 4GB Explore Video, which will run you $100 and the 4GB Share Video, for only $80. The Explore will automatically geotag photos and videos for you, and offers hotspot access at over 10,000 locations. The Share loses the ability to geotag, and only allows users to send photos and videos to the Web and your home computer.

These new cards are available today. If you’re not looking for all of the fancy frills and are happy with the 2GB space limit, you get the old cards for only $50.

Image Credit: Eye-Fi

HP May Give You Greenbacks for Going Green

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:57:37 -0600

Need a good reason to "go green" by recycling your old electronics? How about getting some green (money, that is) for your old desktop or laptop computers, digital cameras, monitors, PDAs, smartphones, inkjet or laser printers, table PCs, or workstations? HP has teamed up with Market Velocity, Inc. to offer the HP Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program. Whether you think you're sitting on a potential gold mine of old stuff or are looking for a painless way to get worthless digital junk out of your office, give it a try.

Here's how it works:

Select the type of item you want to recycle
Select the manufacturer; even though this is an HP-sponsored program, you can select from dozens of manufacturers or ALL OTHERS if your vendor isn't listed or if it's a "white-box" device
Select the model number
Select the condition; choose Excellent, Good, or Poor, and if you're not sure how to grade your stuff, check the bottom of the page for help
Enter the quantity
Enter your zip code
Select whether or not you want premium shipping; shipping charges are deducted from your item's unit value and are reflected in your quote.
Click Generate Quote to continue.

Depending upon what you're wanting to dispose of, you might see a quote, an offer to recycle the item (if it has no resale value), or if you're recycling a computer, the option to modify the listed configuration. Choose this option if you've upgraded memory, the hard disk, or if your system has a different processor than the default listed. Click Modify Configuration to make changes, and Accept Configuration when you're ready to get your quote.

The quote price assumes that you'll haul your obsolete gizmos off to the nearest FedEx location for return, but for another $10, they'll come to you.

If you're wanting to turn your obsolete gadgets into some cash, HP's program isn't the only game in town; see our coverage of Gazelle.com for another option. Whether your old computers and electronics are worth money or are just taking up space, though, don't throw them away; both services offer ways to recycle or donate them and keep them out of the landfill.

Hasselblad Readies Awesome 60 Megapixel Camera for 2009

Paul Lilly — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:00:10 -0500

Hasselblad can already boast bringing the first digital camera to market outfitted with Kodak's wicked 50 megapixel sensor, but the flagship H3DII-50 won't have much time to sail the high MP seas by its lonesome. Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen promises a 60MP version will debut in April 2009.

Of course, digital photographers know that it isn't necessarily the size of the megapixel that counts, but how you use it. Even still, 60MP sounds pretty damn awesome. That will give the H3DII-60 a 94 percent full frame coverage, and Poulsen wants to make clear that "although we hear the phrase 'full frame' being used quite frequently, no manufacturer has yet achieved true medium full frame."

Not that it needs any reaffirming, but the new 60MP DSLR won't come cheap. Expect to pay a smidge over $27,000 for the bragging rights.

Image Credit: Haselblad (H3DII-50 shown)