The Lumix DMC-FX500 point-and-shoot camera is Panasonic’s first camera to get fitted with a touchscreen display. Speaking of displays, the FX500 gets a 3-inch (230,000 dots) LCD display. Finger inputs or a stylus can be used to make menu navigation a breeze. Basic setting changes can also be done via the built-in joystick, located along side the LCD. Together, both should make the UI experience easier. The Lumix DMC-FX500 is powered by the Venus Engine IV processor, which allows a shutter speed response time lag of 0.005s and a capture rate of 2.5 fps at full resolution in burst shooting mode. In High-Speed Burst shooting mode, it jumps to 6 fps. Of course, that’s not all, the FX500 sports a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, image stabilization, auto focus, intelligent auto, red-eye correction, face detection, and 720p (1,280 x 720) video recording at 30 fps.
The Pansonic Lumix DMC-FX500 ships in May for $399. Available in either black of silver.
Samsung has announced that they have the world’s smallest 8 megapixel camera. So, small in fact, that it is far thinner and more compact than many 5 megapixel cameras available today. About the size of a coin (28 x 15.3 x 8.5mm), the tiny camera boasts 3x optical zoom, a sensor with up to ISO 1600 light sensitivity, anti-blur and noise correction, and both face and smile detection. As far as the optics go, Samsung has equipped it with a 30mm wide-angle equivalent lens capable of close macro shooting of up to 0.4 inches away.
Samsung says the new camera should find its way into cell phones and other portable devices. Products equipped with the new technology should start shipping around mid year.
Canon has unveiled its first flash drive based camcorder, the Vixia HF10. Equipped with 16GB dual flash memory, it is capable of recording 1920×1080 full HD video. This flash setup allows the HF10 to be much more compact compared to the HDD-based camcorders. Should you desire, the HF10 also allows recording to SDHC cards. The highlights are:
* 2.7″ Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD
* 12x HD Video Lens (filter diameter of 37mm and focal length of 4.8-57mm)
* 3.3 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor
* Instant AF for super-fast, accurate auto focusing
* DIGIC DV II image processor
* 3.1 Megapixel digital camera
* Full HD Lens-to-Screen (1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution to capture, record and output)
* 24p Cinema Mode (mimics the look of Hollywood-style movies)
* 30p Progressive Mode (provides image clarity during fast paced capturing)
* Weight: 380g (0.84 lbs)
The Philips J44417 Keychain Camera is for those looking for an ultra portable digital camera. It’s perfect for taking photos during events that don’t allow cameras. I mean, you can sneak this little wonder into anything. Who is going to look at your keychain, right? Of course, the Philips J4417 doesn’t pack the muscle power of full-sized cameras. But for $20, here’s what you get:
* Image resolution up to 288 x 352
* 0.1 megapixel
* 1x optical zoom
* Movie mode in AVI format
* 10-second self-timer
* Web cam capability
* Includes 2MB internal memory
* Powered by one AAA battery
* USB cable and software
Canon has unveiled three new point and shoot digital cameras: PowerShot SD890 IS, SD790 IS, and SD770 IS Digital ELPH. All three cameras sport a 10 megapixel CCD and Canon’s “easy-to-use” features: Motion Detection Technology, Optical Image Stabilization, Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, and Canon’s DIGIC III imaging processor — which provides improved image quality and faster boot, shutter, and auto-focus response times. Each come with a 32MB memory card, USB cable, wrist strap, rechargeable battery, and AV cable.
PowerShot SD890 IS Digital ELPH Camera
* 2.5 inch PureColor II LCD display
* 5x optical zoom (37mm - 185mm lens)
* $399.99 - released in April
PowerShot SD790 IS Digital ELPH Camera
* 3 inch PureColor II LCD display
* 3x optical zoom (35mm - 105mm lens)
* $349.99 - released in end of March
PowerShot SD770 IS Digital ELPH Camera
* 2.5 inch PureColor II LCD display
* 3x optical zoom
* $299.99 - released in mid-April
Elmo Japan has announced the SUV-Cam Professional, which is very much like their SUV-Cam II, except the Pro model can record at 704 x 480 resolution and has a recording timer, to automatically begin recording at specified times. If you aren’t familiar with Elmo’s SUV-Cam, it’s a camera head attached to a recording base unit. The cable that attaches the camera can be 3-5m long (unlike the previous model’s 1.5m max). It allows for shots not possible on more bulky video cameras. Intended for sporting events, motorsporting, and police, it is easily mounted on a bike or vehicle. Here’s the basic lowdown:
* 2.2-inch LCD display
* mountable and wearable: easy to catch the “action”
* 704×480, 640×480, 320×240, and 160×128 supported resolutions
* up to 25 fps recording
* Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 2 hours 30 minutes of recording/5 hours of playback.
The SUV-Cam Professional will hit Japan on March 26 for 84,000 Yen ($640) for the recording unit, 31,500 Yen ($305) for the camera head.
Olympus has announced its newest digital SLR camera, the E-420. Measuring 5.1″ x 3.6″ x 2.1″, Olympus is claiming that the E-420 is the smallest and lightest DSLR in the world. According to Olympus, their newest camera is 20 to 40 percent lighter than their competitions’ offerings. The E-420 features 10-megapixels, 2.7-inch LCD, fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and Perfect Shot Preview.
* On-Screen Autofocus works as seamlessly as a point-and-shoot to display subjects in focus on the LCD the instant the shutter is pressed half way.
* Face Detection Technology targets and locks on up to eight faces to ensure they are in focus and crystal clear for amazing portraits.
* Shadow Adjustment Technology captures detail in the bright areas of a frame and opens up detail in the shadows that other cameras would render too dark or underexposed.
* Perfect Shot Preview enables you to view and select your favorite effect right on the LCD, and see how the image will look before you even capture it, so you know that what you see is what you get.
The folks at CrunchGear got a little hands-on action:
The Olympus E-420 should hit stores in May 2008. Price tag is $499 for the body and an additional $100 for the 14-42mm starter lens.
Sony’s latest slim, point-and-shoot digital camera comes by the name DSC-W300. Sony’s latest Cyber-shot camera packs 13.6 megapixels into its scratch resistant titanium coated body shell.
Features:
* 13.6 megapixels
* 2.7″ LCD (230k pixels) display and optical viewfinder
* Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical zoom
* Super SteadyShot - image stabilization
* Scratch-resistant titanium coating
* Smile Shutter and improved face detection technology to catch smiling faces and auto apply the correct amount of focus, exposure, white balance, and flash on up to 8 faces.
* High-speed burst mode capable of shooting 3MP photos at 5 frames per second
* Intelligent Scene Recognition
* ISO 6400
* HD Output to HDTVs
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 will hit store shelves in May for about $350 USD. It should also be available at Sony Style retail stores.
