GearCrave » Cameras

DealCrave: Canon A480 is Cheap and Respected

Jared Newman — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:00:18 +0000

It’s certainly possible to drop a few Benjamins on a compact digital camera, loaded with unnecessary features, but when it’s time to just take pictures, simplicity is king. That’s why the Canon PowerShot A480 is getting positive reviews despite its lack of frills and decidedly unstylish design. PCWorld says the A480 is “dead-simple,” while Photography blog calls it a “cheap, well-made, straight-forward compact camera.” It’s a 10-megapixel point-and-shoot with 3.3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The DIGIC III image processor offers face detection, motion detection and red-eye correction, along with 15 shooting modes, and that’s about it. A few different colors are available, but you’re not impressing anyone. Amazon’s got it for $105. [via Thaindian News]

JVC Gets Super High-Res With 8K/4K Projector and 4K Camera

Jared Newman — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:00:21 +0000

Going the complete opposite way of the mini projector trend, JVC announced that it will soon ship a 370-pound projector. Obviously, the D-ILA 3 8K and 4K aren’t about dinky pictures, beaming out 35-megapixel pictures, in resolutions of up to 8192 x 4320. They also feature brightness of 10,000 lumens, a 5,500:1 contrast ratio. These monstrosities use a 3,000 W bulb and a special fiber optic interface, though there’s also HDMI connections on board. But what would you use it with? Perhaps JVC’s 4K camera, which is in the prototype stage now. A 1.25-inch CMOS sensor allows for resolutions of 3840 x 2160and 60 frames per second in RAW mode. The camera head also has a fiber optic interface, which sends the signal to a remote 4K2K signal processor. No word on pricing, which is to say it probably won’t be cheap. [via Electronista]

Gigapan Epic 100 Makes Panoramas Proper

Jared Newman — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:06:37 +0000

Your camera’s panorama function has its place, but when you’re ready for the real deal, there’s the Gigapan Epic 100. The previous Gigapan model was designed for digital cameras, but the latest version accommodates DSLRs, making it a worthy tool for the professional or budding amateur photographer. More than just an automatic swiveling utility, the Gigapan bases its movement on the camera lens’ angle-of-view. It also requires calibration and reminds you to set white balance and exposure, ensuring a smooth transition between each frame. Everything gets when you get back to a computer. At $450, the Gigapan Epic 100 isn’t for everyone, but if you live by the beach or some other breathtaking spot that justifies sweeping landscape photos, it might be worth the investment. [via Wired]

DealCrave: Canon PowerShot SD1100 for $105

Jared Newman — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:43:11 +0000

Inevitably, old technology is replaced by something newer and better, but bargain-hunters know this is the perfect time to strike. Canon’s discontinued PowerShot SD1100, which carries a suggested retail price of $179.99, is on sale at Staples’ brick-and-mortar stores for $129.99. If you can dig up one of those “$25 off purchases of $100 or greater” coupons, more power to you. The SD1100 is an 8-megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Other features include face detection, optical image stabilization and a print/share button. It’s not clear whether the sale includes all of the SD1100’s color options or just the ugliest pastels that no one wanted before, but it’s worth looking into if you need a small digicam. For more info, look below:

BUY HERE

Sony Alpha 230, 330, 380 DSLRs Leaked, With HDMI

Jared Newman — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:02:20 +0000

If you’re in the “Alpha” stage (har har!) of high-end photography, Sony’s preparing to launch a few new DSLRs to help out. These entry-level cams come in a smaller size than their predecessors and now include HDMI out. There’s also Bravia control, allowing owners of Bravia TVs to remotely flip through their images during big screen viewing. For newbies, a “handbook” teaches the basics. The details were leaked from Sony’s Russian Web site, so there’s no extensive breakdown of each model yet, but we at least know the a380 shoots in 14.2 megapixels. Presumably the a230 and a330 have slightly smaller pixel counts. Unfortunately, there are no signs of video. Price and release date? Nyet! [Photoclub Alpha via Engadget]

DealCrave: Flip Ultra for $69.99 Plus Shipping

Jared Newman — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Pure Digital Flip Ultra Series F260 for $69.99 – Mother’s Day is coming, and only the most tech-averse moms wouldn’t want a pocket camcorder to play around with on vacations and day trips. Woot’s daily deal for April 29 is the Flip Ultra Series F260 for $69.99, plus $5 shipping. The camcorder gets its name from the USB dongle that flips out for easy transfer. It records 60 minutes of video and comes in fiave colors. Condition is listed as “recertified.” The same camera goes for $150 on Flip’s Web site, so act fast if you want to practically steal this nice gift. If you’ve still got cold feet, check out the resources below to see if the Flip is right for you, or your mother:

Flip Ultra F260 Reviews:
CNet
Product Reviews
Review at SoftSailor

[$69.99 at Woot]

VholdR ContourHD Records Straight From the Head

Jared Newman — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:00:25 +0000

That indie nosebone + stalefish you’ve been working on is no good if you can’t save it for posterity. But who would actually want to record that video for you? Luckily, VholdR has the solution with its ContourHD helmet cam, apparently the world’s first wearable HD camera. Just strap it on to the safety helmet for your extreme sport of choice, and you’ve got 720p video at 30 frames per second or WVGA (858 x 480) at 60 frames per second. Mounts are included for goggles or flat surfaces, and dual lasers help set up the proper angle. The lens swivels 192 degrees and has a 135-degree viewing angle. For storage, there’s a 2 GB microSD card included, with a 2 GB card included. Pre-orders are open now for $280, shipping May 15 — just in time for skateboarding season. [VholdR via Engadget]

Redrock Makes DSLR Video Serious

Jared Newman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:00:27 +0000

So you bought an expensive DSLR with high definition video capabilities, but you can’t get over the inherent shakiness of your hands or the mediocre camera microphone. Redrock Micro would like you to slap a rig on it, Hollywood style. The camera attachments include bigger viewing screens and stainless steel rods for gripping. My personal favorite model includes a shoulder mount and a cage for strapping a shotgun microphone to your dome, because nothing says “professional” like a Frankensteinian camera set-up that’s physically attached to the head. Seriously, though, the ability to do a proper film shoot with a DSLR’s lens variety would be pretty cool, though you’d have to pack a lot of SD cards to get the job done. Pricing starts at $195 and goes all the way up to $2,445 for the proper cinema bundle. [Redrock Micro via Dvice]

Panasonic Working on 3D Camera

Jared Newman — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:00:52 +0000

Presently, recording a 3D image is somewhat of a chore, requiring the connection of at least two 2D cameras — and what artiste can be bothered with that? Panasonic’s working on an answer with the industry’s first dedicated 3D HD camera. In prototype now, the camera uses two lenses to records separate channels of video on Panasonic’s proprietary P2 card, one for each eye. The result is an easier process for filmmakers, thus encouraging more 3D movie production. Smart move for Panasonic, as it’s working hard on the consumer side as well. You may recall that at CES, the company revealed that its 3D plasma home theater is coming to the US and Japan. Now all they need is for the concept itself to take off. [via Press Release and Engadget HD]

Leica WWII Rangefinder on eBay

Jared Newman — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:00:08 +0000

Do you trust eBay sellers who abuse the caps lock and butcher the English language? Have an affinity for Nazi battle tools and $27,999 to spare? You sicko. Anyway, someone is selling a Leica rangefinder, apparently used on the Russian front in 1942. The seller says it came from the estate of a military collector. “100% WORKS, NO CRUCKS ON THE LENZES,” the description reads. That’s great, because you never know when you’ll need to spot the Luftwaffe. The original case is included, and there’s free shipping if you buy it now. No returns, so I tried to figure out if this is a fake. A Photo.net forum post from 2007 has one photo with a similar emblem in the corner, and commenters suggest it’s is not the real deal. As if you were seriously considering anyway. [eBay via CrunchGear]

Nikon Swivel D5000 DSLR, For Real

Jared Newman — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:00:21 +0000

Last week, hazy photos emerged of a new Nikon DSLR with a swivel screen. Now, the camera has made the leap from rumor to fact, materializing as the Nikon D5000. Hovering near the entry level, the D5000 sports a 12.3-megapixel DX-format sensor, max ISO of 3200, 4 frames per second in burst mode, 11-point auto focus with 3D tracking and one-button Live View, plus all the usual stuff like image stabilization and face detection. There’s also a 24 frames per second movie mode in 720p and, of course, the 2.7-inch articulating screen. The body alone will cost $729 when it reaches retail later this month. For $849, Nikon will throw in an 18-55mm VR kit lens. See? Rumors can come true after all. [via Engadget]

Rumor: Nikon’s First DSLR With Swivel Screen

Jared Newman — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:00:54 +0000

This much we know for sure: Nikon is readying a big press event for April 14 in Austria, and they circulated the announcement to all the in-the-know photog press. Add fuzzy pictures from an apparent shoot in eastern Europe, combine with speculation, and now we’re looking at Nikon’s first-ever DSLR wih a swiveling screen. Maybe it’s an entry-level follow-up to the D60 with 720p video, or perhaps its a 16-megapixel D400 with CMOS sensor. It’s hard to know for sure — that’s why they have these press events after all — but at least we’ve got these pictures to gawk at. Apparently, they’re from the commercial Nikon will use to promote the product. We’ll find out soon enough. [Photography Bay and Engadget]

GearCrave » Cameras

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