Archive for Point-and-Shoot Cameras
The PENTAX X-5 Digital Camera
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August 29, 2012 – PRESS SUMMARY - PENTAX announced the introduction of its PENTAX X-5 digital camera, an ideal choice for photographers who want to easily capture beautiful, high-quality images of a wide variety of subjects and scenes. Featuring a powerful high-magnification optical 26X super-telephoto zoom lens, the new PENTAX X-5 provides photographers with a focal length of 4mm-104mm (22.3mm ultra-wide angle to 580mm super telephoto 35mm equivalent). Coupled with the camera’s Macro mode, which allows photographers to capture dramatic close-up images of subjects as near to the lens as 0.4 inches, the X-5 delivers an extensive range of creative photographic possibilities.
And for effortless image composition and image playback, the PENTAX X-5 also features a large tiltable 3.0-inch, high-definition LCD screen that offers sharp image viewing, even in bright sunlight, while allowing users to shoot from high and low angles to keep the subject neatly framed in the image area. By combining a state-of-the-art image processing engine and back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with low-noise, even up to ISO 6400, and approximately 16.0 effective megapixels, the PENTAX X-5 provides users with very high-resolution images. Read More→
Samsung NX200 Review: by Jason England
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Design: Samsung has designed the NX200 to be quite sexy. Having an all black metal body, and what really stands out is the smooth curved textured grip on the right side. They have also packed in 2 scroll wheels. One on the top and one on the back, for changing settings and navigating your photos. On the top you’ll find a full hotshoe. Which can be used for the included external flash, or a transmitter when using off camera flash. Look on the bottom, and you’ll find the battery and SD card compartment. Under the plastic door on the left is where you’ll find the HDMI and USB ports. Last but not least is the 3” gorgeous AMOLED screen, which takes up the majority of the back of the camera. It’s bright, vivid, has deep blacks and works great outdoors.
Handling: The curve and texture of the grip feel good in the hand, but the thinness of the body hurts it here. Making it difficult to hold one handed or pick up with one hand, without smashing most of the buttons on the back of the body. When holding with 2 hands though it’s very comfortable. While the NX200 offers up a beautiful screen with rich blacks and colors, you’ll still find yourself missing a viewfinder in certain situations. For instance when shooting moving subjects. Unfortunately they do not offer an electronic viewfinder for the NX200. One more thing you’ll find missing, is anyway to tether the NX200 to a computer. There is also no way to remotely trigger the shutter. All features you may have become accustomed to if you own a DSLR. I also found the arrow keys difficult to push, which are located within the scroll wheel on the back of the camera. Users with big fingers beware.
Menus: The menu system is very visual and gorgeous. They really put a lot of styling into the menus, and made the camera a pleasure to use. You can easily navigate through the menus using the scroll wheels on the top and back. It even includes a tip overlay to help you understand the settings better, and what they do. The Fn button is undoubtedly the most useful button on the camera. Push it and it’ll bring up the screen with all of the shooting settings. Allowing you to quickly get an overview of every setting and make changes. Using the back scroll wheel to move to the setting, and the top one to make any changes. Read More→
Top Compact Cameras for ‘Capturing the Light’
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Improving camera technology is making photographers out of everyone. Truly inspiring images need three things: interesting subject matter, clever composition and creative lighting. Although the first one is subjective and the second one can be learned – based on the rule of thirds – the final one is much harder to learn and used to take years of practice to master. Until now.
Even small, compact and affordable point-and-shoot compact cameras can deliver outstanding photographs that are well lit no matter how tricky the lighting situation. Seeing as photography is about catching the light, if you get the lighting sorted, the rest should fall into place. Here are two compact cameras that can help you capture the light – controlled using exposure – no matter how much or little there is available.
Under £100: Samsung ST90
At just £59.95, the Samsung ST90 is the best camera from Curry’s for controlling the light with minimum fuss and maximum ease. This 14.2 megapixel camera, with 5x optical zoon and HD video function, works on ISO settings from 80 – for bright daylight – through to 3200 – perfect for capturing low-light images. Additionally you can have some control over the shutter speed yourself, allowing you to blur of freeze images no matter what the light is doing. Plus, if you’re not all that aux fait this camera comes with a whole host of pre-set exposure models from sunset and fireworks to daw and night portrait. There are some fun effects to try to such as fish eye, retro and negative.
Over £300: Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Canon is one of the best camera manufacturers in the world. They know a thing or two about lenses and exposure technology so you can expect a high quality camera. As far as compacts go, the PowerShot SX260 HS is one of the best camera models available from Canon.
This camera comes with 12.1 megapixels and 20x optical zoom. Optical zoom rather than digital zoom offers a clearer picture that can be increased in size without loosing significant detail. It also has full HD video of 1080p resolution quality. Its ISO positions run from 100 through to 3200 and the shutter speeds work from a minimum of one through to 1/3200th of a second.
You have plenty of other ways of controlling the light too. There are eight white balance settings, enabling you to match your camera’s settings with the type of light conditions you are photographing under, including tungsten, fluorescent and daylight. There are dozens of exposure modes to choose from including underwater and snow and you have a wide choice of effects too. This camera represents great value for money and is of a very high quality. You can get more information and reviews on the best camera models from What Digital Camera.
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PENTAX Optio WG-2 Wins Best Rugged Compact Camera Award
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April 17, 2012 – PRESS SUMMARY - PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION announced that the PENTAX Optio WG-2 compact digital camera, launched in March 2012, has received a 2012 TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Award for “Best Rugged Compact Camera”. The WG-2 was selected because of its exceptional image quality and outstanding operability in harsh conditions. The camera is waterproof up to 40 feet, dustproof, coldproof, crushproof, and shock-resistant.
TIPA is an independent, non-profit organization comprised of editors from 29 photo and imaging magazines in 14 countries, many in Europe. This year’s TIPA winners were chosen from a wide variety of new photo and imaging products that were introduced between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.
The Fujifilm X-Pro1 Mirrorless, Interchangeable Lens Camera System
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During Digital Photography Café’s live WPPI 2012 coverage this past month, Joseph Cristina and I had the opportunity to chat with Kacey Baker from Fujifilm about their new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system the X-Pro1.
In the first video below, Georgia McCabe put together a great presentation that gives us some history about camera technology and how it has evolved to the new mirrorless technology used in the X-Pro1. Kacey Baker joins us to talk about the inner workings of the X-Pro1 and what makes it a camera worth considering for your next purchase.
Samsung’s Latest DualView Offering – the DV300F
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January 4, 2012 – PRESS SUMMARY – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, unveiled a new addition to its market-leading Samsung DualView® line, the DV300F. With this launch, Samsung continues to cement its leadership position by introducing the latest in Dual LCD technology with Wi-Fi connectivity for camera users who want to snap and share moments in an instant.
The Samsung DV300F builds on the success of Samsung’s DualView technology with a 1.5” front facing LCD screen that helps ensure users are capturing the most challenging shots. Child Mode displays an animation to keep little ones focused, and the visual Self Timer makes it easy to put oneself in the picture. Read More→
Samsung’s WB750 Digital Camera Gets You Even Closer to the Action
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September 9, 2011 – PRESS SUMMARY – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, announced the launch of the WB750 camera – featuring a proprietary BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor that ensures consistent professional images and video. Featuring a newly-redesigned image sensor, lens and image processor, the WB750 brings to bear a range of new technologies to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and ease-of-use. The WB750 also features an 18x optical zoom with 24x Smart Zoom technology, making it the longest ever zoom in Samsung’s compact camera portfolio.
Thanks to its 12.5 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, with the WB750 it’s easier than ever to produce consistently high-quality images and video. Introduced to Samsung’s compact camera range for the first time, this pioneering BSI CMOS technology works to significantly reduce image noise and distortion, delivering clear, precise photos and video even in low light conditions. The WB750 is the perfect compact digital camera to have on hand when there is a need for speed, as it can capture stills at up to 10 frames per second in high-speed continuous mode. Read More→
Samsung MV800 Camera Offers Great Photography From All Angles
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September 6, 2011
PRESS SUMMARY – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, unveiled the Samsung MV800 camera, an ultra-compact point & shoot with a 3.0” touch-screen Flip-out LCD display. In combining the Flip-out LCD with an impressive suite of creative features, the MV800 enables users to capture life’s moments from any angle and create images that reflect their unique perspective on the world.
The MV800 camera offers enhanced picture quality, capacitive touch screen technology, as well as many innovative and user-friendly features to ensure that all users can relax and enjoy their shooting experience. Consumers can be confident they will be able to capture even the most challenging shot whether they are behind or in front of the lens.
The MV800 camera builds on the success of Samsung’s DualView technology and is the first premium compact model to feature a 3.0” Wide Flip-out touch-screen LCD Display. Samsung has designed the device in response to evolving consumer demands for maximum flexibility, ease-of-use, creativity and style.
New PowerShots with Canon’s HS System and Full HD Video
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Feb 10, 2011 – PRESS SUMMARY – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, announced four new PowerShot Digital cameras: the PowerShot SX230 HS, ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS models. With these new introductions, Canon debuts the world’s thinnest 24mm wide angle, 5X Optical zoom model1, the PowerShot ELPH 300 HS, along with a Canon-first, GPS-equipped camera, the PowerShot SX230 HS model. In addition, all four cameras come equipped with Canon’s HS SYSTEM for exceptional shooting in low-light, Full 1080p HD video, new Movie Digest Mode and 32 Smart AUTO scenes.
FujiFilm FinePix X100 Premium Digital Camera
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Feb 9, 2011 – PRESS SUMMARY - FUJIFILM North America Corporation announced the U.S. debut of its FinePix X100 premium digital camera which will begin shipping in March. Inspired by the groundswell of requests by professional and advanced amateur photographers from around the world, Fujifilm has developed a digital camera that was specifically engineered to appeal to this group’s desire for capturing the highest quality images through a high-performance, beautifully crafted compact digital camera.
