Photography

Panasonic recently announced the new LUMIX DMC-FZ35, a digital camera featuring AVCHD Lite, High Definition (HD) video recording capability, combined with a powerful 27mm wide-angle, 18x optical zoom LEICA DC lens.

The 12.1 megapixel FZ35 packs enhanced creative features combined with the power to shoot HD videos, including motion zoom capabilities to take full advantage of the 18x zoom. It also features the upgraded POWER Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.), which allows for double the repression power and an ultra high-speed Auto Focus (AF). The operational layout of the FZ35 includes a dedicated video record button, making it a true hybrid -- a single model that performs seamlessly at capturing both still and motion images -- while still providing smooth and easy operation in either mode.Read more

Sony today unveiled two Cyber-shot cameras, the DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1, that feature Sony's new "Exmor R" back illuminated CMOS sensor technology. What exactly does this new technology do? It improves shooting in low-light by reducing the grain in your photo. This sensor has almost twice the sensitivity of cameras with your standard sensor.

TX1 and WX1 cameras also have hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur multi-shot modes. And with the "Exmor R" CMOS sensor's high speed, these modes capture six separate images in less than a second and use Sony's BIONZ processor to combine the shots into a single image. With their Sweep Panorama and 10 frames per second burst shooting, the cameras can also take up to 185 and 256-degree panorama shots in a press-and-sweep motion, resulting in an image size of 7152 x 1080.Read more

Not only did PENTAX just announce a new waterproof digital camera, they added two new compact digital cam's to the Optio line, the ultra-slim P80 and the entry-level E80.

The 12.1 megapixel Optio P80 has a 2.7 inch LCD with 230,000 dot resolution, a 4X wide angle optical zoom (equivalent to 27.5-110mm focal length), widescreen HD video capture up to 720p, and is just over one-half inch at its slimmest point.

Other features include:

• PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) technology features Pixel Track SR, Digital SR, and Movie SR to stabilize images and video for beautiful, blur-free results.
• Fast Face Detection technology sees up to 32 faces in as little as 0.03 seconds for easy portrait photography.
• Smile Capture automatically captures pictures when your subject smiles, and Blink Detection alerts you if your subject's eyes are closed during the exposure.
• PENTAX Auto Picture mode automatically selects from eight shooting modes for beautiful images in any setting.
• Sensitivity up to ISO 6400 boosts shutter speeds to freeze subject movement for blur-free images even in low lighting.
• An improved Face Detection AF & AE function that now captures subject faces from an angle.

PENTAX just unveiled their latest waterproof digital camera, the Optio WS80. This 10 megapixel camera features a 5X internal optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD and is less than an inch thick. Photos and HD video can be taken up to five feet (1.5 meters) underwater.

The WS80 has a water-repellent SP (Super Protect) coating on the protective glass panel that covers the zoom lens. Because of this, the camera can be rinsed with fresh water if it becomes covered with dirt or sand.

Other features include:

• Fast Face Detection technology sees up to 32 faces in as little as 0.03 of a second
• Smile Capture automatically releases the shutter when a subject smiles and Blink Detection alerts the photographer if the subject's eyes are closed during the exposure.
• PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) technology features Pixel Track SR, Digital SR, and Movie SR, stabilizing your images and video for blur-free results.
• PENTAX Auto Picture mode automatically selects from eight shooting modes for beautiful images in any setting.
• Sensitivity up to ISO 6400 boosts shutter speeds to freeze subject movement for blur-free images even in low lighting.

Nikon is on a roll lately…last week they unveiled the D300s and D3000, and today Nikon announced four new COOLPIX Style Series digital cameras – the COOLPIX S70, COOLPIX S1000pj, COOLPIX S640, and COOLPIX S570.

The Nikon COOLPIX S70 features Nikon's newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new OLED Touch-Screen Interface. With the swipe of a finger, you can scroll through images and use a pinching motion with two fingers to zoom in or out on displayed images, switching between thumbnail and full screen views. The COOLPIX S70 also records HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels (720p).Read more

The 10.2-megapixel D3000 has features that make it easier than ever to take great pictures, including the new Guide Mode, which lends a helping hand to new D-SLR users by suggesting, and in many instances making, appropriate camera settings for particular shooting situations, and an extensive Retouch Menu, which enables consumers to edit photos, even when away from their computer.

The D3000, which offers an 11-point autofocus system, also leverages proven Nikon D-SLR technologies including exclusive EXPEED image processing, and an Active D-Lighting system, enabling entry-level D-SLR shooters to take stunning pictures even when conditions are challenging.

The D3000 features a 3-inch LCD, 20% larger on screen text, and is able to capture images at up to three frames-per-second. Users can enjoy the benefits of Nikon's Advanced 3D Subject Tracking, which continuously focuses on fast moving subjects throughout the frame, resulting in crisp, clear action shots.Read more

The new LUMIX DMC-FP8 digital camera is part of Panasonic's new FP-Series, which pursues excellence in both design and function. The LUMIX FP8, with 12.1 megapixels, features a high-quality 28mm wide-angle, 4.6x Leica DC lens with folding optics - encased in a futuristic-looking stylish body.

The FP8 also features advanced functions including high-speed Auto Focus (AF) and Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) suite of technologies. Panasonic's iA, a popular feature on LUMIX cameras, now includes POWER Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) which features double the repression power compared to the previous image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S. The hand-shake generated when pressing the shutter button, or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is significantly minimized by the improved POWER O.I.S. to help reduce blurry photos.Read more

The new Olympus FE series (FE-5020, FE-4000 and FE-46) digital compact cameras will consistently capture extraordinary, in-focus pictures of your family and friends. Inside their new premium crystal shell finish, the three stylish FE series cameras pack 12 megapixels, creative in-camera Magic Filters and new AF Tracking that keeps fast-moving objects in focus.

The FE-5020 and FE-4000 also have wide-angle zoom lenses inside their new super-slim bodies. The FE-4000 goes to 4x (26mm – 105mm equivalent in 35mm photography) and the FE-5020 goes to 5x (24mm – 120mm equivalent).Read more