Digital Cameras

Panasonic certainly has something to brag about today. Two of their products, the TC-P54Z1 VIERA Plasma HDTV and the LUMIX GF1 digital camera, were just named "The Best of What's New" in the Home Entertainment and Gadgets categories by Popular Science magazine.

The winner in the Home Entertainment category is the Panasonic TC-P54Z1 VIERA Plasma. Sporting an ultra-thin 1-inch profile, this Plasma can be placed in areas you never would have considered before! And, it uses wireless technology with a maximum transmission rate of approximately 4Gbs, allowing full-HD uncompressed video and audio signals to be transmitted up to 30 feet from the TV. Also, the remote is RF, so the external box that houses all the electronics and connections can be placed out of sight. Read more

"This is a rugged camera? It's too pretty!" was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the latest entry from Casio. But sure enough, the new EXILIM G1 is a shock-resistant, waterproof, and dustproof digital camera. And, at only 0.78-inch thick, it is also the slimmest shock-resistant digital cam on the market today.

Thanks to the camera's two layer construction of stainless steel and resin, the EX-G1 can be dropped from seven feet and can be used underwater at depths of 10 feet for 60 continuous minutes. It even withstands freezing temperatures as low as 14 degrees!

The 12.1 megapixel EX-G1 will hit store shelves in December 2009 with an MSRP of $299.99. It will be available in black and red.Read more

Fujifilm's FinePix REAL 3D system is now available in the United States. Unlike any other digital camera on the market today, the FinePix REAL 3D system captures realistic 3D still photographs and movies that can be viewed without 3D glasses.

The Finepix Real 3D W1 digital camera is the first camera in the company's lineup. It features 2 lenses and 2 CCD's. Two images are captured with the left and right lenses at the same time. The dual Fujinon lenses then layer the two images together to create a 3D image. Read more

Panasonic's latest LUMIX digital camera, the 12.1 megapixel DMC-GF1 Micro Four Thirds shooter, hits the market as the world's smallest and lightest digital camera with a built in flash. But don't let its small size fool you, the LUMIX GF1 is packed with features. It can record 1280 x 720 High Definition video in AVCHD Lite, as well as HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 and other video recording formats such as QVGA, VGA and WVGA.

It has tons of features, modes, as well as being the first in the LUMIX G Series to be compatible with an optional Live View Finder (DMW-LVF1). Read the press release below to find out everything this camera has to offer…I was certainly impressed.

The LUMIX DMC-GF1 will be available in October 2009 with the option of two kits – both priced at $899.95. One kit option includes the newly-announced LUMIX G 20mm/F1.7 ASPH, a compact and lightweight "pancake" lens, while the other kit features the LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. Read more

Samsung's new 12.5 megapixel HZ25W has the most powerful lens ever offered on a Samsung compact digital camera. The HZ25W's Schneider-KREUZNACH lens has a 24x optical zoom with a 26mm wide-angle focal length (35mm film equivalent focal range of 26mm-624mm). But not only that, this digital cam offers full manual control, RAW support, as well as recording 720p HD video in H.264 format.

The HZ25W features a three-inch LCD screen, dual image stabilization, aperture and shutter priority, a full manual shooting mode, as well as manual focusing. Also, shots can be made in RAW (DNG1.1), JPEGs, or both right on the camera. The HZ25W records 720p HD video using H.264 compression, with the ability to zoom in and out while recording as well. Read more

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

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