News Update :

Canon

Samsung

BenQ

Casio

Fujifilm

Camera Acc

Fastec TS3Cine Compact Hi-Speed Camera

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Digital cameras have become quite advanced and the developments for better features come at a very fast pace. Even hi-speed digital cameras nowadays have become quite compact and portable, making them more convenient for professional photographers to use. But none may probably be even with Fastec’s TS3Cine Compact Hi-Speed Camera.

The new TS2Cine portable hi-speed camera from Fastec may be as fast in terms of shutter speeds can go for such a compact digital camera. Its somewhat point and shoot camera design may not show its capability of capturing images at 20,000 FPS. The TS3Cine also features a large 7-inch LCD screen, making it more convenient for users to view captured images. This hi speed camera can also capture 720p images at 720FPS and 1280 x 1024 at 500FPS. Incredible as the TS3Cine Compact Hi-Speed Camera may be, it may not be the camera for everyone as it is expected to cost around US$30,000 for the 128GB SSD version for pre-orders. The Fastec TS3Cine Hi-Speed Camera is expected to be available for those with the moolah by summer of this year.

Source

Logitech TV Cam Offers Video Calling on 2011 Skype-enabled Panasonic VIERA HDTVs

Logitech has teamed up with Panasonic and Skype to release the Logitech TV Cam for Skype. It is a plug-and-play TV camera that lets you make and receive high-definition video calls directly from selected 2011 Panasonic VIERA Connect-enabled VIERA HDTVs. No computer or software-download is required. You just need an internet connection with at least 1Mbps upload and download speed to start making HD video calls. Using the Logitech TV Cam for Skype is as simple as turning on your TV and selecting the Skype video calling application, which comes preloaded on 2011 Panasonic VIERA Connect-enabled VIERA HDTVs. The Logitech TV Cam for Skype is expected to be available later this month in the U.S. for $149.99.

Source

Sony NEX-FS100U Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (Body Only) Now Available For Pre-Order At B&H

Sony’s brand new super 35mm sensor camcorder (body only) ‘NEX-FS100U’ is now available for pre-order in the US via B&H online store. This E-mount interchangeable lens camcorder is currently being offered for $4,999. As for the specs, it sports a Super 35mm Exmor CMOS image sensor, a 3.5-inch XtraFine LCD display, an SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick (x1) card slot, an HDMI interface and 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities at 24Mbps.

Source

Olympus LS-20M Pocket Full HD Camcorder

Check out this newly introduced pocket Full HD camcorder from Olympus, the LS-20M. This travel-friendly camcorder sports a 5.32-megapixel 1/4-inch CMOS image sensor, a 2.0-inch color LCD screen, an SD/SDHC card slot, dual condenser microphones, a 16mm round dynamic speaker, a Lithium Ion battery and 1080p Full HD recording capabilities (30fps). The LS-20M will start shipping in June for $299.99.

Source

Samsung WB700 Digital Camera Hits The South Korean Market

Samsung is ready to launch the WB700 ultra-zoom digital camera in South Korea. The 14.2MP camera comes equipped with a 24mm Schneider lens and features up to 18X optical zoom and up to 1.3X of Smart Zoom. What’s more, the WB700 also has a 3-inch LCD display, dual image stabilization (optical + digital), a full manual control, a 720p HD video recording, a zoom noise reduction, an HDMI-out and RAW image support. Available in black and silver, the Samsung WB700 retails for 379,000 Won ($353).

Source

Sony Bloggie MHS-FS3 HD 3D Pocket Camcorder Shipped In The US

Sony has begun shipping their newest HD 3D Pocket CamcorderBloggie MHS-FS3‘ in the US via Amazon. In case you didn’t remember, this this compact video camera supports both 2D and 3D realizations, and features two 5.0-megapixel CMOS image sensors, a 4x digital zoom, a 2.4-inch 3D-LCD touchscreen display, an 8GB of internal memory, a flip-out USB arm, an HDMI port and has the ability to capture both 1080p HD video as well as up to 5.0-megapixel 2D or 2.0-megapixel 3D digital still images. If you’re interested, the Bloggie MHS-FS3 will set you back $249.

Source

Awaiba NanEye Camera

Awaiba has launched the NanEye, which is claimed to be one of the world’s smallest cameras. The camera is built straight on a silicon chip. Its super small glass lens measures at only 1mm x 1mm x 1.5mm, which is the size of sea salt or the head of a pin. The NanEye records 250 x 250 pixels video at 44 frames per second. No word on pricing at this moment.

Source

Sony Nex-C3 interchangeable Lens Camera

in July, Sony will market a new digital camera gadget, interchangeable lens camera 'Nex-C3'. This camera will set a price of about $ 549 and will include with a 18-55mm kit lens. Wait for further news.

BenQ E1465 14MP Point-And-Shoot Camera

BenQ released a new digital camera point-and-shoot camera that is named E1465. BenQ E1465 camera equipped with a 14MP sensor, 4x optical zoom lens, a 27mm wide-angle lens, an SD / SDHC / SDXC card slot, a 2.7-inch LCD display, a USB 2.0 port and 720p HD video recording capabilities. BenQ E1465 camera gadget will be launched this month but the price has not been announced.

Panasonic Lumix G3 review

Back in 2009 Panasonic was the first company to introduce what’s become known as a compact system camera or ‘CSC’ – a mirror-less device smaller than a digital SLR, yet retaining the ability to swap lenses for better image quality than a ‘happy snappy’ pocket compact.

Three years later the market for CSCs is in rude health, and the third generation model has arrived in the logically named G3.

The G3 is the mid range model in its ‘G’ series of digital SLR styled Micro Four Thirds system compacts, a system co-developed with Olympus. The G3 slots between the almost-as-new flagship GH2 model (around £100 more) and last year’s G2, previously the mid-range option but which now drops down to become the entry level one (£529 with lens). The G10 model, until now the ‘starter’ option, has quietly been dropped.

The G3 is priced comparably to the G2 on launch, being a suggested £629.99 with basic 14-42mm zoom lens. This provides an adequate 28-84mm equivalent focal range in 35mm film terms. There are currently around 16 compatible lenses

Panasonic Lumix G3; Controls

With the appearance of a flattened DSLR and a choice of black, red or white bodies, the control layout of the G3 has been simplified. This is not just down to its maker’s desire to make the camera easier to use, it’s also because the Panasonic is an impressive 25% smaller than its predecessor (and 10% lighter at 336g, with aluminium construction), so there’s less physical room for operational knobs and levers.

Plus, as with the G2, this is a touch screen model, a facility that has likewise been overhauled to provide 100% field of view and full area focusing. In practice this means you specify the focus point with a finger prod anywhere in the frame; there are no longer any grey border areas.

Furthering ease of use there is additionally a top plate ‘iA’ (intelligent Auto) button, a press of which throws the camera into subject recognising, auto adjustment mode, and very reliable it is too.

Another feature from Panasonic’s compact camera range co-opted here is a Q.Menu (Quick Menu) button, a press of which calls up a toolbar of the most common functions to save having to wade through menu screens. Plus we get one-touch video recording via a camcorder-style red button on the backplate. Anyone trading up from a pocket snapper shouldn’t feel too out of their depth, while DSLR users will appreciate the fact that physical controls haven’t totally given way to touch screen, as there are still useful shortcuts to changing the likes of ISO, with a light sensitivity range stretching between ISO160 and ISO6400.

Panasonic Lumix G3: Screen

With pictures and video composed either via built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) or LCD below, with (slightly disappointingly) a small adjacent button rather than an eye sensor for swapping between them, the G3’s main screen is notable not only for its touch panel operation but also because it is angle adjustable.

It can flipped out through 180°, at which point the screen can also be rotated to easier enable low or high angle shooting. Non-fixed LCD screens are a feature of the latest generation of competing mid level DSLRs (Canon 600D, Nikon D5100), so the inclusion here feels timely and necessary.

Better still, visibility is good even when the screen’s folded flat to the body and it’s being used in bright sunlight, thanks in part to a 460k-dot resolution. It can also be turned screen inwards to the body for added protection when transporting the G3.

Furthermore the camera is currently the world’s smallest and lightest CSC with a built-in (electronic) viewfinder. With the likes of the competing Sony NEX, Olympus Pen and even Panasonic GF models, an EVF or optical viewfinder comes as a clip-on extra. Here the EVF’s resolution is a huge 1,440,000 dots, though the flexibility of the alternative larger screen meant that we inevitably used it more.

Panasonic Lumix G3: Speed

The camera powers up from cold as fast as the power switch can be flicked to ‘on’. At the heart of the G3 is a newly developed 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, delivering lower noise levels than the G2 (results as ISO3200 on the G3 being comparable to those at ISO1600 on its predecessor), supported by the same zippy Venus Engine FHD processor found in the flagship GH2 model. Deploying contrast AF, this has helped give rise to Panasonic’s boast for lighting fast auto focus of an impressive 0.18 seconds using the 14-42mm kit zoom we were provided with.

We also get a respectable if not quite class leading four frames per second burst shooting at full resolution (or up to 20fps at reduced resolution), plus Full HD movie recording in AVCHD format at an output rate of 30fps and with stereo sound courtesy of top mounted microphones

It’s worth noting that operationally you can more or less get by without using the screen’s touch sensitive controls if you don’t want to, though in practice a combination of button and screen presses does help speed things along. It’s also surprising how quickly swapping between one and the other becomes second nature.

Panasonic Lumix G3: Battery

The G3 comes supplied with both DMW-BLD10E rechargeable lithium ion battery and mains charger, the former slotting into a covered compartment at base of the camera’s handgrip, which is where we also find a vacant SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. So if you’re using the camera on a tripod, the card can’t be swapped without first unscrewing the camera.

Using the supplied lens, battery life is good for an average 270 shots from a full charge, according to industry standard CIPA testing, and which is a so-so performance at this level.

Panasonic Lumix G3: Pictures and video

Though default images out of the camera are perfectly pleasant in terms of colour reproduction, with well saturated blues and greens. A little more visual ‘bite’ can be leant to shots by dipping into the G3’s newly re-named digital filters, slightly confusingly split between Creative Control and Photo Style modes which might have been better grouped under a collective banner.

For video users the G3 offers the advantage of continuous auto focus so there isn’t the need to manually adjust as you zoom in or out. There’s very momentary blurring as the camera automatically adjusts, but on the whole this is one of the more seamless (and effective) examples we’ve seen, and silent with it. Couple this with razor sharp image quality and stereo sound and you have a viable alternative to carting around camcorder and stills camera.

In terms of still image quality meanwhile we occasionally got clipped highlight detail under bright sunshine, though the usual attendant bugbear of pixel fringing is kept well under control.

We also enjoyed dipping into the camera’s Creative Control mode - via the artist’s palette icon on the top plate dial - where we got great results shooting with the saturation boosting ‘Expressive’ mode and maintained both shadow and highlight detail by alternatively switching to High Dynamic (range) option. As the effects of the latter can look a little painterly on occasion, as ever these are features to be used in moderation.

Panasonic Lumix G3: Verdict

The pitch here is nigh DSLR quality but from a camera with more compact proportions and easier handling. But with competition coming from the good value, well performing and similarly mirror-less DSLR-styled Samsung NX11 model, not to mention true DSLRs including the Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 600D in the entry-to-mid-range market, the G3 isn’t without some tempting alternatives. That said, for those amateurs who shoot video with any regularity a CSC is without as many inherent compromises as a DSLR based on an old 35mm film camera, and the Full HD video and stereo sound offered by the G3 betters the NX11’s spec.

In summary then, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a considered overhaul of last year’s DMC-G2, offering better features and moreover a smaller form factor for the same price. Of course there may be those for whom the G3 is a bit too dinky, and who will prefer the more rugged feel and larger grip of an actual DSLR. But for anyone wanting a lightweight reliable tool for shooting from the hip and getting better quality pictures (and video) than a pocket compact would allow - without alternatively opting for its maker’s also excellent DMC-GF2 - the G3 should tick most if not all the boxes.

Panasonic Lumix G3 launch date: June, link Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix G3 price: £459 body, £639 with kit lens

Panasonic Lumix G3 Specs:
Sensor: 16 megapixel Live Mos sensor
Lens: 14-42mm standard zoom on test
Screen: 3-inches, 230,400 resolution
Viewfinder: Live View Finder (1,440,000 dots equivalent)
Stabilisation: Mega OIS
Video: Full HD 1920x1080 pixels at 30fps
Storage: SD, SDHC or SDXC media card
Battery: 270 shots per charge
Connections: USB 2.0, AV out, mini HDMI, remote
Dimensions/Weight:115.2x83.6x46.7mm, 336g (body only)

Source

Kodak

Nikon

Olympus

Sony

Panasonic

 

© Copyright Digital Camera Review 2010 -2011 | Design by Herdiansyah Hamzah | Published by Borneo Templates | Powered by Blogger.com.