October 10th, 2008
Can these cell phones replace your digital camera–and your dermatologist?
Eight-megapixel camera phones are no longer so unusual–we’ve known about the Sony Ericsson C905 for a while and the recently announced Samsung Pixon has been getting a lot of buzz since it was announced last week. But the LG Renoir and LG KC780 (announced October 2 and yesterday, respectively) have added so many camera features that it’s easy to forget that these are cell phones. Both sport Schneider-Kreuznach certified lenses, built-in flash units (the Renoir’s is a Xenon flash) and adjustable light sensitivity up to whopping ISO 1600. In addition to image stabilization, face detection, and smile detection, the LG handsets both offer video recording and include some interesting shot modes that you won’t even find in some camera cameras, such as Smile Shot (which automatically triggers the shutter when your subject is smiling) and the oddly intriguing Beauty Mode, which lets you “remove spots and imperfections on people’s faces.”
The Renoir is the more interesting of the two–it’s an iPhone-esque 3G touchscreen phone that includes WiFi and GPS features, allowing you to geotag photos and e-mail or upload them easily and even offers a manual focus option. The video capabilities are also more high-end, with 120 fps slow-motion video and 5 fps time-lapse recording. There’s even built-in support for DivX and Xvid encoded video.
The Renoir will begin shipping in Europe this month (and expand to other markets afterwards) and the KC780 will follow in November.
October 7th, 2008
Remember Vivitar cameras? Here’s what’s in store next for the brand
Back in its heyday, the Vivitar brand meant well-priced, good quality lenses, flash units, and SLR film cameras, but more recently it’s been associated with a generic, though broad line of digital cameras. One of the most recent–a limited edition gold version of a ho-hum 7-megapixel point and shoot–had the dubious distinction of being the official camera of the 2007 HBO Emmy’s Luxury Lounge (”Celebrities like Debra Messing, Cheryl Hines, Kathy Griffin, and James Gandolfini were amongst the first to receive the limited edition camera!”). Well, the parent company that produced those cameras filed for bankruptcy and last week canned all of the staff at its European division after selling the storied brand name to Sakar International, a consumer electronics ODM that claims to be the number one supplier of digital cameras to the mass retail channel. (Side note: I recently checked out one of Sakar’s licensed digital cameras–a cheapie Crayola-branded kids camera.)
What does all this mean? It means that you’ll be seeing more Vivitar-branded digital cameras and other digital-photo-related gear on the market as Sakar tries to capitalize on the venerable brand name (which dates back to the early 1960s, though the company itself was established 70 years ago). Sakar plans to introduce cameras priced from $70 to $300, leveraging Vivitar’s existing SKUs, patents, and engineering to bring higher-priced models to Sakar’s existing base (the company did not purchase Vivitar’s equipment or facilities).
Via DCViews
October 3rd, 2008
Amazon sets up post-Photokina shop: Canon G10 and 50D now shipping
In the calm after the Photokina 2008 storm, there’s a lull in digital camera-related news this week, but Amazon is hoping to cash in on some post-Photokina camera shopping at least. The e-tail giant has launched a special storefront dedicated to cameras announced at the show, with a big splash page on its Camera, Photo & Video section. The exciting news is that hot new cameras like the Canon PowerShot G10 and Canon EOS 50D are starting to ship. Though Amazon doesn’t have the former in stock and lists a 1 to 2 month lead time for shipping the latter, there are links to third-party sellers who do have the cameras in stock. Same goes for the Nikon D90. Amazon lists it as a pre-order but then links to a slew of third-party sellers with the camera in stock.
September 26th, 2008
My Favorite Digital Camera Accessories at Photokina: the Lensbaby Composer
While there are certainly interesting cameras to discover at Photokina 2008, there are also a slew of digital camera accessories being shown off. My favorite comes from Lensbaby (formerly known as Lensbabies), which announced three new “selective focus” lenses for digital SLR users. I’ve been a longtime fan of Lensbaby (particularly the 2.0 version that came out last year) and the lenses have come a long way over the years.
Lensbaby Composer
Looking significantly more polished than previous versions , the new Composer is based on a ball-and-socket design (rather than the original plastic bellows-like design) making the control easier, smoother, and more precise. The lens retains its position after you set it and rather than focusing the lens by squeezing it as the previous versions required, it actually sports a traditional barrel focusing ring. Another new design feature is that the Composer uses Lensbaby’s new Optic Swap System, which allows you to switch among four different optics (double glass, single glass, plastic, and pinhole). The Composer ships with the double glass optic installed for $270. Additional optics can be purchased and swapped in for $35 each (or $95 for a boxed set of three).
The company also announced the Lensbaby Muse, which replaces the original Lensbaby and the Lensbaby 2.0 (and looks and functions much like them), but features the new Optic Swap System. It ships with either the double glass optic installed ($150) or the plastic optic installed ($100). And finally, there’s also the Lensbaby Control Freak, which replaces the Lensbaby 3G and also adds the Optic Swap system. It ships with the double glass optic installed for $270.
September 24th, 2008
New Digital Camera Announcements and More from Photokina 2008
Photokina 2008, the world’s largest photographic and imaging tradeshow, officially kicked off yesterday, but there have been lots of new product announcements in the leadup. Here are some highlights of products being shown and announced at the show in Cologne, Germany.
The biggest pre-show blast came from Canon on September 17. Though the rest of the product announcements were overshadowed by the long-awaited release of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon also announced upgrades to five other cameras, including:
Canon PowerShot G10
This is an update to the extremely popular G9. The G9 has been the compact shooter of choice among many pro photographers (including my husband) and, happily for their wallets, the G10 isn’t really a must-have update. Resolution has been bumped up from 12 to 14.7 megapixels, but probably the most significant spec change is the switch from a 6x zoom lens (35- to 210mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.8) to a wider but shorter 5x zoom lens (28- to 140mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.5). Canon also updated the processor to its new Digic 4 and switched to a higher-resolution (but still 3-inch) LCD. The G10 will ship for $499.99 in October.
Canon PowerShot SD880 IS
This is an update to my favorite Canon point-and-shoot, the SD870 IS. In fact, I’d just recommended the 870 to my cousin-in-law, but was able to stop her before she pulled the trigger when I heard of the SD880’s impending release. I wouldn’t have recommended the upgrade just for the bump in resolution from 8.3 to 10.3 megapixels. In fact, since one of Rachel’s big concerns is shutter lag, I might have recommended that she stick with a lower-resolution camera. But since the 880 sports the new Digic 4 processor (plus a slightly bigger sensor), there should be at least a slight performance increase. I also like that Canon stuck to a nice wide-angle lens, but increased focal length from 28- to 105mm to 28- to 112mm equivalent. Also slated for October release, the 880 will ship for $349.99.
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
This is an update to the SD950 IS, which bumps resolution up to a crazy 15 megapixels. I thought 12.4 in the SD950 was already overkill, to be honest, though both cameras do have bigger sensors than you typically find in such tiny cameras. The other big change is a sleek and curvy new design, which will come in a limited-edition red version to commemorate the 100 millionth PowerShot camera manufactured (available only Canon’s online store www.canonestore.com). Also shipping in October for $399.99
Canon also announced two new megazooms, the PowerShot SX10 IS (10 megapixels and a whopping 20x 28- to 560mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.7 lens) and the PowerShot SX1 IS, a similar camera but the first PowerShot with a CMOS sensor that is being released to European and Asian markets, but not in the U.S.
Pentax K2000
This new entry-level SLR from Pentax targets folks that are upgrading from a point-and-shoot camera. Rather than trying to compete feature-for-feature with similarly priced favorites like the Canon Rebel XS or Nikon D60–or adding features or upping the specs of its existing entry-level offering (the Pentax K200D)–Pentax focused on making the new model easier to shoot with. In addition to a new lightweight and compact design, the K2000 sports simplified menus and user interface, with Auto Picture modes and a dedicated help button. Additionally, instead of dropping the price lower than its competitors, Pentax opted to include everything a dSLR newbie needs in the kit: The $699.95 bundle will include the camera, an 18- to 55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens from the company’s new DA L series of budget lenses, as well as a Pentax AF200FG flash unit. The kit is expected to ship in November.
Sigma DP2
Following up on Sigma’s much-ballyhooed DP1 (the first compact camera to use a full SLR-sized sensor), the DP2 is essentially the same camera (with the same 14-megapixel Foveon X3 sensor that’s used in the DP1 as well as Sigma’s SD14 dSLR) but with a different lens and Sigma’s new image processor. Rather than the DP1’s 28mm equivalent, f/4.0 lens the DP2 sports a 41mm equivalent, f/2.8 lens. Pricing and availability not yet released.
September 18th, 2008
More details on Canon EOS 5D Mark II
As promised, some more details on the hotly anticipated EOS 5D Mark II.
Unlike most of the yearly ho-hum updates out there (a few megapixels here, a couple of features there), the EOS 5D Mark II announced yesterday is worth the three-year wait: the full-frame sensor has been boosted up to 21.1 megapixels, the LCD is a high-resolution 3-inch beauty (like more recently released competitors), Live View shooting has been added, the sensitivity range has been raised to ISO 50 - ISO 25,600, auto focus points have been bumped from 9 to 15 points, and continuous shooting speed has been bumped from 3- to 3.9fps. Best of all, however, Canon has added HD (1920×1080,16:9) video capture at 30 fps (there’s also a standard TV quality 640×480, 4:3 setting as well), besting recently announced competitors like the Nikon D700 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. In fact, the consumer-oriented Nikon D90 is the only other dSLR to offer a video mode at the moment.
Canon plans to ship the 5D Mark II by the end of November for $2,699 (body-only) or in a kit version with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens $3,499, making it very competitively priced compared to the competition.
For an excellent features comparison among the EOS 5D Mark II, close competitors, its predecessor, and even its big brother the EOS 1Ds Mark III, check out Lori Grunin’s post at CNET crave.
For more details than you ever wanted to know about the camera, see DPReview’s comprehensive hands-on preview.
September 17th, 2008
Canon finally announces 5D Mark II, as predicted
The rumor mill predicted a September 17th announcement date and here we are, right on time. Canon finally announced the long-anticipated successor to the EOS 5D, named (as expected) the EOS 5D Mark II. Check back later for an updated, more thorough post, but for now see the links below for more info:
Canon USA’s EOS 5D Mark II pages
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Online Press Kit
DPReview’s exclusive hands-on preview (of preproduction unit)
September 16th, 2008
More hints about the Canon EOS 5D replacement
I don’t usually go in for rumor-mongering and all that, but I’ve been getting so many queries about the eagerly awaited Canon EOS 5D replacement that I feel obligated to pass these links along:
CNET Crave’s Stephen Shankland deconstructs Canon’s big tease of a Web ad.
NeutralDay, shall we say, “reconstructs” the same ad.
CameraRumors.com addresses the rumor that there may be two Canon5D replacements.
French site EOS Numérique publishes alleged specs for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and an announce date (tomorrow!).
September 15th, 2008
Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-G1, smallest and lightest interchangable lens camera
On Friday, Panasonic announced the first camera to support the new micro Four Thirds standard created by Olympus and Panasonic to deliver interchangeable lenses and other SLR-like features in more-compact form factors. The G1 is a bit smaller than the smallest dSLR on the market (the Olympus E-420), which the micro Four Thirds standard accomplishes by blowing off the “single lens reflex” part of the equation (i.e., the mirror and prism that allows the viewfinder to see directly through the lens of an SLR) but maintaining a dSLR-sized sensor. Poised to compete against high-end compact cameras like the Canon G9 (and upcoming G10), and Panasonic’s own recently released Lumix DMC-LX3, as well as entry-level dSLRs, the G1 packs a 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, sports a high-resolution 3-inch flip-out LCD viewfinder, and comes in the two decidedly non-SLR-like colors of blue and red as well as a standard black.
Not surprisingly, Panasonic also announced two micro Four Thirds lenses: the Lumix G Vario 14-45mm (28-90mm equivalent), f/3.5-5.6 lens, which will be the standard G1 kit lens, and the Lumix G Vario 45-200mm (90-400mm equivalent), f/4.0-5.6 telephoto lens. Both include optical image stabilization and will be available when the G1 ships in November. Pricing is supposed to be announced in early October.
Early expert previews are already available: Lori Grunin offers a good description at CNET’s Crave and DPReview got an exclusive early look at a prototype and has posted an in-depth hands-on preview.
September 11th, 2008
The best digital camera for kids (or, how to keep grubby hands off your camera)
All the inquiries I’ve gotten about a Canon EOS 5D replacement notwithstanding, one of the most frequent queries I’ve received of late has been regarding a good digital camera for kids. It may be the whole back-to-school thing, or maybe people are just getting tired of watching their own cameras get dropped and/or smeared with peanut butter, but in any case, I decided a response is in order.
If your budding photographer is over, say, 7 or 8 years old, I’d suggest that you do what I’ve done and use them as a convenient excuse to upgrade by giving them your old snapshooter. But for preschool kids who can’t be trusted not to drop their cameras on a regular basis, there are finally some reasonable options out there.
I checked out three cameras that are appropriate for kids 3 years of age and up. I limited my selection to cameras that included LCD viewfinders since the kids digital cameras that lack them have always seemed pointless to me (have you ever taken a photo of a kid with your digital camera without an immediate chorus of “can I see?”). Each has its appeal, but I came away with a clear favorite as well.
Read on to find out more about the Crayola 2.1 MP Digital Camera, the Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera, and the Vtech Kidizoom Digital Camera.
Crayola 2.1 MP Digital Camera - $59.99
Pros: Lightweight and compact; neck strap
Cons: Small, low-quality LCD; no internal memory; single-eye viewfinder
Specs: 2.1 megapixels; 1.3-inch LCD; built-in flash; accepts SD cards up to 2GB; requires 3 AAA batteries
I really liked the form factor of this little camera–it was the smallest and lightest of the three, but also seemed the least durable, though certainly sturdier than a normal digital camera. It was the only camera to come with a neck strap (as weedy as it was, it was still a convenient touch for the wee ones). With only five buttons to choose from (on/off, forward and reverse playback, delete, and a shutter button) and only a single setting (high vs. low resolution) it was very easy for kids to master. It didn’t come with any special on-camera features (see the VTech writeup below) but did include some very basic photo-editing software, games, and other kid-friendly software to run on your PC. The worst feature of the camera was its LCD screen which was quite small, but worse, was barely usable in any lighting situation. Now, I’m not expecting a high-resolution, 3-inch beauty or anything, but the image was so washed out that you could barely frame your photo (not that a 3 year old is doing such intricate framing, but…) and worse, any shot taken with the flash seemed so blown out you might not recognize some subjects that were shot close up. They looked fine on my PC once they were downloaded, though. In fact, image quality of downloaded shots taken at the high 1,600×1,200 resolution setting were surprisingly good (the LCD was so lame, I had low expectations). Not good like,”wow, let’s blow these up and frame them” good, but good enough to satisfy any kids and print out at 4×6 or smaller. In fact, despite my relatively low opinion of the overall camera (mostly due to the weak LCD and lack of internal memory), my kid testers who ranged from 3 to 7 years old had no complaints and were happy as clams to be playing with it. Because it has no internal memory, though, make sure you have an SD card on hand before showing up with this camera or you’ll have some unhappy campers. Oh, and my last complaint is that the SD card slot and battery compartment require a tiny screwdriver to access. Probably a conscious design to keep small fingers out, but certainly a frustration builder when you can’t find a suitable tool and the kids “WANT TO PLAY WITH THE CAMERA NOW!”
Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera - $50.00
Pros: Very durable; waterproof; two-eye viewfinder
Cons: Hard-to-press shutter button; low-quality LCD; doesn’t accept memory cards; low resolution; no strap
Specs: 1.3 (interpolated) megapixels; 1.5-inch LCD; built-in flash; 64MB internal memory; requires 4 AAA batteries
This was the clunkiest feeling of the three cameras, but probably the most durable too. Fisher Price bills it as waterproof (though we didn’t test that aspect) and the rubberized grip provided plenty of shock protection. Though the outside packaging was quite different, the camera features and functions were virtually identical to the Crayola camera, down to the five buttons and the weak (though larger) LCD. One key difference is the shutter button, which Fisher Price inexplicably mounts on the front rather than top of the camera and then recesses in a way that makes it a little tough for a less-dextrous kid to access. Another drawback is that it doesn’t come with a strap of any sort–not even a wrist strap–nor is there a way to attach one of your own. (And guess who will end up carrying the camera once small hands tire of holding onto a camera that’s too bulky for them to hold in one hand comfortably?) An nice touch is the two-eye viewfinder, which is much easier for younger kids to use, especially, considering how lame the LCD is (see the Crayola writeup above). As with the Crayola camera, the Fisher Price doesn’t include any extra on-camera functions save for switching from high to low resolution (or should I say low to lower resolution). But unlike Crayola, Fisher Price doesn’t include any fun software either–though truth be told, my kid testers weren’t all that interested in the software that came with the Crayola camera. Image quality was barely adequate to the grown-up eye–not surprising given the interpolated 1.3 megapixel (0.3 megapixel actual) resolution–but again, I found the kids to be much gentler critics of image quality, so weigh that with the lower price of this camera. Because of the low resolution, you can store up to 500 pictures in the 64MB of onboard memory, but you can’t expand on it with a memory card, which is a bummer. This also means you’ll have to keep track of the included USB cable for that’s the only way to download your photos. One aspect in which the Fisher Price beats out both the Crayola and the Vtech is in not requiring a tiny screwdriver for battery compartment access. The latch is still impossible for a small child to open, and you’ll still need some kind of tool, but a knife or normal-sized screwdriver will do the trick. Read the rest of this entry »
Janice Chen has been covering technology for almost two decades. She got her hands on a Nikon Coolpix 900 back in 1998 and has been a digital camera enthusiast ever since. See her full profile and disclosure of her industry affiliations.
Recent Entries
- Can these cell phones replace your digital camera–and your dermatologist?
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